Hawke’s Bay Fruit Growers Association update
Explore, Grow & Thrive – Welcome to April!
As April unfolds, things begin to get colder, and I dig deep into the sock drawer to find my Norsewear socks (my go to this time of year). With favourable conditions supporting harvest activity, growers are poised for an upbeat season. The sense of optimism is clear, and so too is the need for ongoing focus, preparation, and advocacy. Our region has demonstrated resilience in the face of past challenges, and now we’re seeing the rewards of that persistence.
Still, as you know, a productive season doesn’t eliminate the broader issues growers continue to face, particularly when it comes to national policy consistency and water access. These remain at the forefront of our minds as HBFA continues to engage with key decision-makers on behalf of our members. Land and water advocacy is one of our top focus areas and recent discussions and submission on the FDS for our growers at HDC chambers on the 25th of March. Alongside our industry partners and grower members in support of Horticulture New Zealand’s concerns for the FDS process. It was great to see many of our wider industry presenting on the day. We highlighted the lack of meaningful consultation with growers, particularly given the poorly timed submission period during peak harvest.
HBFA strongly opposed the suggestion that ‘unproductive’ LUC 1 and 2 land on the Heretaunga Plains be opened for urban development, noting that much of this land is only underutilised due to lack of water access, not a lack of potential. We stressed the importance of prioritising water for food production over urban growth, warning that continued development without proper water infrastructure risks undermining the region’s horticultural future. We called for better consultation, smarter water policy, and a long-term strategy that puts food production first. In many cases, this land is highly productive or has the potential to be, pending access to water infrastructure. The core issue lies in water allocation, which currently prioritises domestic supply over food production.
On a different note, preparations are well underway for this year’s Young Fruit Grower of the Year event on the 5th & 6th of June, and excitement is building across the region. We’re working closely with sponsors, judges, and industry partners to deliver an engaging, high-energy competition that not only tests technical skills but also showcases leadership, innovation, and resilience among the next generation of horticultural talent. From hands-on challenges to networking opportunities and the popular speech competition, the event promises to be a memorable celebration of our future leaders. Stay tuned for updates – and mark your calendars to come along and support these rising stars of Hawke’s Bay horticulture. Check out the details and winners from last year and our new website Hawke’s Bay Young Fruit Grower of the Year Competition 2025
Looking ahead: A year of opportunity to interact
As we turn our focus to the months ahead, 2025 presents significant opportunities, from the potential for regulatory reforms to improved access to water. HBFA will continue to advocate for our growers, facilitate meaningful industry discussions, and provide the support needed to help you succeed. Please see below what’s happening in the region:
Advocacy updates:
- Water storage user group meeting – Communications for the event are coming next week (please keep an eye on our update for this)
- Hort day out (Schools supporting Hort) 7th of May – is an exciting industry immersion event designed for Year 12–13 students from Hawke’s Bay and Tararua, aimed at showcasing the wide range of career opportunities in horticulture beyond traditional roles like picking and pruning. Held across Mr Apple, T&G, and Horticentre sites in Whakatū, students will rotate through six interactive modules covering topics such as robotics, crop economics, post-harvest science, and marketing each led by experienced mentors from across the sector. It’s great to see schools actively engaging in horticulture in Hawke’s Bay, helping inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, tech experts, and business leaders for our industry.
- Water Allocation (TANK) – HortNZ are urgently working to clarify with HBRC the requirements of TANK consent applicants and will provide an update to growers as soon as they have that clarity. HortNZ is very aware that the 31 May 2025 date is fast approaching and want to give really clear advice to growers about what to do.
- Food & Fibre Centre of Vocational Excellence Society Incorporated 2025 AGM will be held online at 2:30pm on Tuesday 10th of June 2025 – Call for submissions by 4pm Friday 9 May email admin@foodandfibrecove.nz
- Growing Change Irrigation workshop in Hawke’s Bay – The orchard growers workshop will be held on Thursday 19th of June from 10:00am – 1:00pm at Armadale Orchards, Hastings. Leanne Roberts and the Policy team present on regional policy activities. More info coming on this event – stay tuned.
- Update on the Gene-Tampering Bill by GE Honesty – GE Honesty is a coalition of New Zealand farmers and consumers advocating against the proposed Gene Technology Bill. The group believes the bill threatens the country’s GMO-free status. They argue that the bill could undermine New Zealand’s agricultural economy, health standards, and international reputation by allowing the introduction of genetically engineered organisms without sufficient public consultation or oversight. GE Honesty emphasizes the importance of maintaining current regulations that have supported the nation’s GMO-free advantage for over two decades. They call for a cautious approach to genetic engineering, prioritizing natural and proven solutions over untested technologies. The group urges the public to join their campaign to preserve New Zealand’s natural advantage and ensure that any changes to GE regulations are thoroughly evaluated and publicly discussed. For more information, please see link below: The Gene-Tampering Bill | GE Honesty
HBFA Grower Survey results:
Our grower members unanimously support the introduction of a new worker membership category within the association to help expand our membership base. This initiative will strengthen industry representation, foster greater engagement across the horticultural workforce, and build a more connected and resilient grower community, more to come on this. We also asked our members some of the following questions.
Reach out for support:
If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out and connect with Wanda Douglas at 021 1700 506 or wandspsychology@gmail.com. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and we’re here to support each other.
Wishing you a prosperous season ahead,
Warm regards,
Callum Ross
Chief Executive Officer HBFA
