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WSP: Helping navigate the storm
WSP: HELPING NAVIGATE THE STORM
Severe weather events generated In parallel to these challenges, by climate change are not the local regulators are caught up in To take advantage of these only storms on the horizon for the their own storm, navigating their opportunities, growers, industry horticulture sector. We are facing way through a series of waves from bodies and regulators will need to a convergence of fast-moving central government that will also work together and communicate Heavy enforcement of blanket regulations can Regulators cause fronts that will rock our generated boats: hitclimate at different times. openly with each other. Severe weather events by perverse incentives, need limiting or causing growing consumer demands, toinnovation understand what is damage In most cases best practice change not the only in storms changesare and challenges the on the horizon important growers – and growers to growers trying to do the rightto thing. standards to look after our labour watersector. availability can help provide solutions that for the market, horticulture We are facing a environment and people aredifferent now shapes and sizes of growers, so many So many and infrastructure needs – work to regulators. well recognised across the industry. convergence of fast-moving fronts that will crops, so many different levels of formal organisation and and increasingly stringent But implementing regulations to is just no easy one size fits all solution. recording! There environmental rock our boats:regulations. growing consumer demands, drive positive change is challenging WSP offers a range of expertise to So how can we drivehelp ourselves a sector to grow more In this context, sustainability in such a diverse sector. changes and challenges inisthe labour market, meetas the challenges facing sustainably and turn both a profit, while also facing these We synonymous with survival. regulators and growers. enforcement of blanket water availability and infrastructureHeavy needs – and multiple waves of challenges? have practical understanding But what does sustainability mean regulations can cause perverse increasingly stringent regulations. and experience with growing, to New Zealand growers environmental and an incentives, limiting innovation or Change provides an opportunity to adapt and re-think and knowledge of tools such as expanding sector? Perceptions of causing damage to what, growers trying where, who, and why we grow. Diversification and In this context, sustainability is synonymous with survival. Overseer and council processes as sustainability are increasingly driven to do the right thing. innovation can help us become more resilient. well as facilitation and relationship by consumers and the market, But what does sustainability mean to NewSo Zealand growers many different shapes and management skills. We are ready There is increasingly opportunity to shift focus from and enforced by regulation and and an expanding sector? Perceptions of sustainability sizes of growers, so many crops, to help the horticulture sector market standards. Growing with and the market, and high yield, to high quality, value-added products with a are increasingly driven by consumers so many different levels of formal weather these storms, and flourish sustainability at front of mind is sustainable storyis to tell. enforced by regulation and market standards. Growing and recording! organisation There in the fertile ground they will bring now expected and required. Opting with sustainability at front of mind is now expected andone sizeTofits just no easy all advantage solution. ofinthese theiropportunities, wake. take growers, out is no longer an option. required. Opting out is no longer an option. bodies So how can we driveindustry ourselves as and regulators will need to work together andsustainably communicate openly with each other. Regulators need sector tohow grow more The decisions that we make must not onlyaconsider The decisions that we make must and turn a profit, while also facingwhat is important to growers – and growers to understand we look after our land, water and atmosphere, but also not only consider how we look after these multiple waves of challenges? can help provide solutions that work to regulators. how we treat ourand staff atmosphere, and communities, how we handle our land, water and with our Change provides anWSP opportunity offers a range of expertise to help meet the but package also howour weproducts, treat ourand staffwhat andwe do to adapt and re-think what, facing both regulators and growers. We waste streams. communities, how we handle and challenges where, who, and why we grow. package products, and what have practical understanding and experience with In parallelour to these challenges, localwe regulators are caughtand innovation Diversification can do with our waste streams. growing, and knowledge of tools such as Overseer and up in their own storm, navigating their wayhelp through a us become more resilient. council processes as well as facilitation and relationship series of waves from central government that will also hit There is increasinglymanagement opportunity skills. to We are ready to help the horticulture at different times. shift focus from high yield, to high sector weather theseLisa storms, and flourish in the fertile Arnold quality, products with In most cases best practice standards to look aftervalue-added our ground they will bring in their wake. a sustainable environment and people are now well recognised acrossstory to tell. Primary Industries Consultant Horticulture the industry. But implementing regulations to drive Lisa Arnold, Primary- Industries Consultant – Horticulture positive change is challenging in such a diverse sector. T: +64 2 187 8102,T:E:+64 lisa.arnold@wsp.com 2 187 8102 W: wsp.com/nz/ruralservices lisa.arnold@wsp.com
Helping you develop, diversify & sustain your land, now and in the future. wsp.com/nz/ruralservices 56 NZGROWER : JUNE 2021