Search results
COVID-19 update for horticulture - 26 March
HortNZ is closely monitoring the COVID-19 coronavirus situation and its potential impact on the horticulture industry. The situation is constantly evolving. Please keep an eye on the HortNZ newsletter as well as our website’s homepage. What follows are our latest updates.
COVID-19 update for horticulture - 2 April
- Essential Services Information- RSE workers- Labour and Jobs- Government Support- Food Safety- NZGAP and GLOBALG.A.P.- Staying well
COVID-19 update for horticulture - 25 June
This page contains COVID-19 information.
This page was archived on 25 June 2020. For the latest information, click here.Table of contents:
COVID-19 update for horticulture - 11 August
This page contains COVID-19 information.
Table of contents:
COVID-19 key contacts
HortNZ has set itself up in the following way in response to COVID-19. Please call or email the person/s noted below if you have questions or concerns that fall into their areas.
Guidelines for horticulture businesses operating as an essential service
HortNZ has put together some guidelines on the kinds of measures to have in place, when operating as an essential business under COVID-19 Alert Level 4.
MPI responses to key grower questions and concerns - 11am
Updated at 11am
MPI responses to key grower questions and concerns - 5pm
Updated at 7.30pm March 26
MPI visiting packhouses and other horticultural operations on Friday 27 March 2020
We have just received notice that the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will be visiting packhouses and other horticultural operations across the country from tomorrow.
Guidance for registering as an essential business
These guidelines provide advice to horticulture businesses on the kinds of measures Horticulture New Zealand believes members ought to have in place, and to enforce, if they are to be granted and maintain “essential business” status under COVID-19 Alert Level 3 and 4.
Wage subsidy scheme update 27 March 2020
The government announced modifications to the wage subsidy scheme on 27 March 2020.
MBIE says door-to-door, local fruit and vegetable box deliveries can go ahead, but all COVID-19 anti-transmission measures must be in place
MBIE has just advised HortNZ that door-to-door, local fruit and vegetable box deliveries can go ahead, but COVID-19 anti-transmission measures must be in place, such as the 2m distancing rule and deliveries being done without individual contact.
MPI update on 29 March 2020
MPI has provided responses to two more grower questions, as below.
COVID-19 Advice on employees
We know a number of growers have questions about employment as it relates to welfare.
COVID-19 Advice on health and safety, and duty of care
Learn more about the Health and Safety responsibilities of employers operating essential service businesses during COVID-19 Alert Level 4, and the consequences of not meeting health and safety obligations.
Immigration New Zealand RSE update
Immigration New Zealand - part of the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment - released on 1 April information that clarifies the situation for RSE workers and their employers. You can read the information here.
New Essential Workers COVID-19 Leave Payment Scheme
The Government has announced that a new COVID-19 payment that will be available to essential businesses for essential workers from 6 April 2020.
Reducing food waste during COVID-19
A large number of growers are contacting HortNZ about produce they no longer have a market for due to the closure of independent fruit and vegetable stores and produce markets. Please note we are still in discussions with the Government about reopening the independent stores.
HortNZ submission on importance of independent fruit and vegetable retailers reopening
Click here to read HortNZ's submission to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) requesting recognition of independent fruit and vegetable retailers as an Essential Service, which would allow them to reopen.
Essential Workers Leave Support
The Government has announced that a new COVID-19 leave payment scheme will be available to essential businesses for essential workers from 6 April 2020.
Prime Minister praises the horticulture industry
In her daily COVID-19 press conference, the Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern took the time to praise the horticulture industry for continuing to feed New Zealanders, export produce overseas, and provide New Zealanders who are out of work as a result of COVID-19 with jobs, particularly in the kiwifruit and apple industries.
New Zealand onion growers celebrate multimillion-dollar export success in Indonesia
New Zealand onion growers are celebrating being able to export their world class crop to Indonesia again.
MPI guidance on operating under COVID-19 Alert Level 4 / diagram on social distancing and transport
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has issued guidance for the horticulture industry on operating under Alert Level 4 to:
Postponement of HortNZ Events
HortNZ’s Board has reviewed the events planned through winter this year and decided because of COVID-19, the following events are postponed:
Government to make decision about move to Alert Level 3 on 20 April
The Prime Minister has said that the Government will make a decision about whether and when the country will move to Alert Level 3 on Monday 20 April.
Otago Region – Proposed Water Permits Plan Change 7
Otago Regional Council (ORC) has proposed a plan change to the Regional Plan: Water for Otago for the replacement of deemed permits with water permits, and for the replacement of any water permits expiring prior to 2025.
Country moves to Alert Level 3 on 28 April
The Prime Minister has announced that New Zealand will move to Alert Level 3 at 11.59pm on Monday 27 April. For an essential service like horticulture, the move to Level 3 will see retention of the same anti-COVID-19 transmission measures that were put in place under Level 4.
Horizons Ballance Farm Environment Awards winners praise NZGAP’s approach to making compliance straight forward
Woodhaven Gardens, the 2020 Regional Supreme Winner at the Horizons Ballance Farm Environment Awards, are fans of how New Zealand Good Agriculture Practice’s (NZGAP) Environmental Management System (EMS) ‘add-on’ makes compliance more straight forward.
Keeping fruit, vegetables, growers and the public safe with remote audits for NZGAP certification
New Zealand Good Agricultural Practice (NZGAP) has joined the rest of New Zealand in the move contactless interaction.
New Zealand horticulture exports grow to $6.2 billion
New Zealand horticulture exports reached a record breaking $6.2 billion in the year ending June 2019 - an increase of $720 million from the previous year, and more than 10% of New Zealand’s total merchandise export income.
Immigration Act amendment as a result of COVID-19
A Bill to give Immigration New Zealand more flexibility during the COVID-19 response and recovery was introduced into Parliament on 5 May.
Pluses and minuses for vegetable production in Waikato Regional Council’s Plan Change 1 proposal
HortNZ says the plan change that Waikato Regional Council has notified is an improvement on the 2016 proposal but will still affect the local industry’s ability to meet future demand for vegetables.
HortNZ welcomes Budget 2020’s support for the primary sector in the COVID-19 recovery
HortNZ has welcomed the 2020 Budget, acknowledging the Government’s support for the primary sector in the COVID-19 recovery.
New Zealand horticulture industry rewarded by outstanding survey result
If you clicked on a link to Farm Environment Plan article in the HortNZ Newsletter, please click here.A survey showing that New Zealanders rate horticulture more highly than any other part of the primary industry sector is rewarding for fruit and vegetable growers across the country.
Farm Environment Plans come out on top for growers and the environment
Farm Environment Plans have come out on top as the best way for vegetable and fruit growers to manage their environmental impact and at the same time, provide evidence to regulators.
Importance of horticulture recognised in Government’s freshwater decisions
Horticulture New Zealand says the Government’s decisions around freshwater recognise the importance of growing fresh fruit and vegetables in this country.
Govt backing horticulture to succeed
The Government is backing a new $27 million project aimed at boosting sustainable horticulture production and New Zealand’s COVID-19 recovery efforts, says Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor.
Unwanted horticultural pest detected in routine surveillance
Two small populations of an unwanted horticultural pest, the tomato red spider mite (Tetranychus evansi), have been found by Biosecurity New Zealand (the biosecurity arm of the Ministry for Primary Industries) on nightshade weeds at two Auckland locations during routine and follow up surveillance.
HortNZ says country needs more water storage schemes like Northland’s
HortNZ says New Zealand needs more water storage schemes like the one just announced for Northland.
Horticulture industry and govt cooperate to get thousands of RSE workers home
The New Zealand Defence Force has begun taking more than 1000 Vanuatu nationals home. Photo: NZDF
People profile: Trixie-Lee Grey
Photo: NZAPI
People profile: Alex Tomkins
Alex Tomkins is already making waves within the horticulture industry, despite not yet having left Massey University. Now in the final year of studies for her Bachelor of AgriCommerce degree, Alex is majoring in International AgriBusiness with a minor in Horticulture and is also president of the Massey Horticulture Society.
COVID-19 update for horticulture - 18 August
This page contains COVID-19 information.
Table of contents:
COVID-19 update for horticulture
This page contains information relating to the current COVID-19 situation.
Table of contents: