The Chief Executive: Unity and positivity in 2022

Unity and positivity in 2022

I have now been back in the horticulture industry for six months after being away for four years, albeit still in the food and fibre sector as part of the honey industry.

By Nadine Tunley : HortNZ Chief Executive

The horticulture industry is a lot more diverse than say the dairy or meat industries. We grow more than 100 different varieties of fruit and vegetable, up and down New Zealand, for domestic and/or export. Plus, growers are represented by more than 40 groups, including product groups and district associations, all of which are very clear that they advocate for growers’ interests.

I often hear it said that working with Government is more difficult than it should be because so many different Government agencies are involved in one topic. Take water for example. There’s the Ministry for the Environment and Ministry for Primary Industries, along with the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment and the Department of Internal Affairs – and that’s just listing the biggest agencies. But when I talk with Government, they equally say it is very difficult working with the horticulture industry, because we are diverse and there are many seemingly contradictory voices. When I have reflected on this past six months, it is discussion about the differences that I remember not discussion about common challenges, I am afraid. Many of the conversations I am part of start with the differences not the similarities and often, we never get beyond the differences. There are exceptions, however, for example, biosecurity being a long-term example, and how we have come together to ensure continuation of the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, despite the border situation, being more short term. Unity is what we need more of if we are to influence the Government. That doesn’t mean forgetting our differences but it does mean focusing on our similarities, of which there are many, so we can get traction with the Government, in terms of policy, regulation and funding. We also need to be positive because that in turn will foster a positive reception. There are so many things about our industry that are positive and align with Government outcomes, for the environment as well as the economy, to say nothing of the health of New Zealanders.

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Emily Pope Ph: 027 617 6200 Email: emily.pope@hortnz.co.nz Andrew Bristol Ph: 021 021 62 021 Email: andrew.bristol@hortnz.co.nz

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AT WORK

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My last point is on perception. We need to be professional, lead by example, and be mindful of Government and public perception. Once again, there are many examples of how we do this well. For instance, how – as an essential industry – we have continued to grow while keeping us, our workers and the New Zealand public safe. That’s been no mean feat and is something we can be very proud of. Next year, I hope as an industry we can become more unified and make more use of what the Government is making available to us, in terms of support for innovation and problem solving. Yes, on the one hand the Government seems like a handbrake, but on the other, there is a genuine desire to support our industry and assist it to reach its potential, as we adapt to Covid and climate change. Let’s make 2022 the year for unity and positivity so we can leverage all the opportunities available to us!

Changes at New Zealand Apples and Pears

I would like to take this opportunity to farewell Alan Pollard and welcome Terry Meikle as the new Chief Executive of New Zealand Apples and Pears. Alan has worked tirelessly to advocate for the apple and pear industry over the past ten years. I was fortunate enough to be Alan’s first chairperson, when we set the strategy of “a billion dollars by 2022”. At the time in 2012, we were a circa $320 million industry. Apples and pears were the first sector to reach the Government’s business growth agenda goal of doubling export value. This milestone was achieved in the 2016/17 season with $720 million and had it not been for the hail event in Nelson on Boxing Day 2020, apples and pears would have hit the billion this season, a year ahead of target. There have been many other achievements during Alan’s tenure, including bedding in the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) programme, to the envy of many other sectors. I would like to congratulate Alan on a fantastic decade and several outstanding achievements. As the horticulture industry, we wish you all the best in your next chapter. Thank you for your service and dedication. HortNZ looks forward to working with Terry and his team to meet the challenges of the next ten years, to ensure continued growth in returns to apple and pear growers.

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