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Chief Executive – January update

Posted By HBFA | January 20, 2025

Hawke’s Bay Fruit Growers Association update
Explore, Grow & Thrive – Take a breath, and grow!

Happy New Year! As the orchards hum with activity and the season begins to ramp up, we look forward to a year of growth, resilience, and opportunity. January marks a fresh start, bringing with it the promise of new beginnings while setting the stage for the busy harvest season ahead. It’s a time to reflect on our collective journey, celebrate achievements, and prepare for the opportunities and challenges 2025 will bring.

The energy and dedication you bring to your work are the backbone of Hawke’s Bay’s thriving horticulture industry. Your unwavering commitment not only supports your own operations but also strengthens the wider community. We’re here to ensure you have the resources, support, and advocacy needed to succeed.
As we turn our focus to 2025, harvest preparation becomes a top priority. Ensuring that your teams, equipment, and orchards are ready for the months ahead is crucial. With an early season anticipated for many growers, now is the time to finalize those preparations.
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Looking ahead to 2025

2025 promises to be a year of new opportunities and celebrations. One of the standout events on our calendar is the HBFA Industry Awards Night, scheduled for February 5, 2025, at the Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre in Hastings.
This prestigious evening will:

• Celebrate the achievements of EIT and Primary ITO graduates.
• Highlight the contributions of scholarship recipients to the horticulture industry.
• Recognize excellence through the presentation of the Fourneau Award and the Emerging Achiever Award, honouring the innovation and leadership driving our sector forward.

The Industry Awards Night is more than a celebration, it’s a moment to reconnect with peers, reflect on our shared accomplishments, and look forward to the year ahead. Make sure to secure your spot and learn more about this exciting event click here.
In addition to this celebration, HBFA remains committed to supporting growers through advocacy, meaningful events, and timely updates on policy developments. We are dedicated to ensuring you have the tools and information needed to navigate challenges and seize the opportunities that 2025 has to offer.
Together, we will continue to innovate, grow, and strengthen our industry for the future. Here’s to a successful, productive, and prosperous 2025!
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Highlights and updates – upcoming events

HBFA Industry Awards Night
Wednesday February 5, 2025 @6pm to late

Join us to celebrate the achievements of our EIT and Primary ITO graduates, scholarship recipients, and industry leaders. It’s an evening to reconnect, recognize excellence, and look ahead to a prosperous year. Learn more here.

Advocacy updates:

• Future Development Strategy (FDS):
We continue to advocate for growers in discussions around the FDS to protect the livelihoods of our industry. Have your say by participating in our grower survey, closing soon, with submissions were by January 20, 2025.
• Water Allocation (TANK):
The regional council workshop in January will determine the next steps for processing TANK applications. No action is required from growers until further updates are provided after the workshop.
• Natural Hazards Submission:
HBFA is actively contributing to the Building Resilience to Hazards insights briefing, addressing critical challenges such as floods, droughts, and climate change. Insights are expected in April 2025.

Wildfire Awareness:

Regional Fire Weather Indices Check out your region and closest weather station data. Once in your region the slider bar can be shifted to daily observed (1pm every day) or current, or forecast 5 days out.

Drought Code (niwa.co.nz) This is the fire drought code – soil moisture below 0.1m depth – indication of dryness of large fuel and how hard it is to put a fire out.

Fire prevention and fire safety | Fire and Emergency New Zealand (checkitsalright.nz) The dry weather increases wildfire risks. Stay vigilant, ensure fire safety protocols are in place, for updates on fire risks.

The Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers’ Association (HBFA) is committed to aligning our efforts with the priorities and needs of our grower members. To ensure we focus our resources on the areas that matter most to you, we would greatly appreciate your input through the following survey if you haven’t done so please do!
This survey is a valuable opportunity for you to share insights and feedback that will help us better address the challenges and opportunities within our industry. Your responses will remain completely anonymous, ensuring you can provide open and honest feedback. Thank you for helping us shape a stronger, more responsive HBFA.

Reach out for support:

If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact me, Callum Ross, at HBFA, or directly 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.
A heartfelt thank you to our members, partners, and sponsors for your continued support. Your contributions enable HBFA to champion growers’ interests, host meaningful events, and drive initiatives that strengthen our industry.

As we embrace the new year, we remain committed to fostering resilience, innovation, and collaboration. Together, we will tackle challenges and seize opportunities to sustain and grow New Zealand’s pipfruit industry.

Wishing you a prosperous season ahead,

Warm regards, 

Callum Ross 

Chief Executive Officer HBFA & Chairman HAG (Horticulture Advisory Group) 

 

 

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