Presidents Report
By all accounts we have had an excellent winter with chilling units working in our favour. Let’s hope we can get back to some sort of normality as spring is just around the corner. Green tip has emerged already on some varieties. As the previous season has shown (even though most of us sprayed more than we ever have) diligence will be key to keeping our orchards clean and bug free. Market access has once again been an issue with growers and exporters this past season so it’s imperative our spray programmes are robust and fit for purpose for the 24/25 season.
The RSE scheme has had some very positive changes which I am sure our RSE employers are welcoming. Our industry bodies led by HORTNZ have done an excellent job in helping to bring this about. Please see link below for more information.
Immigration New Zealand’s RSE Newsletter dated 14 August 2024.
HBFA are always looking at ways we can serve the industry (our members) better. Over time, naturally, things change (or should change). There are too many stories of organisations / companies who refuse to change or adapt – Yahoo, Kodak and Blackberry to name a few. Now we are not in this league or business of course but the principals of needing to change and adapt remain the same. Status quo will only work for so long. In the past few years HBFA have grown in membership and sponsorship and our events such as the HB Young Grower add much value to our industry in recognising emerging talent. We work well with NZAPI and HORTNZ – as it’s imperative to build strong relationships and collaborate as much as we can with other industry bodies because at the end of the day, we all want the same thing really – to build a better future for horticulture. Our board of executives along with Callum are looking towards the future, what do we need to let go of to move ahead or what can we add to bring value to our industry!
We have thrown our support behind the “HB Regional Economic Development Agency” in their submission to the Government’s Vocational Education and Training Consultation. It’s extremely important to us and our industry especially, that we have a strong independent, EIT that supports our workforce and community needs with a vocational training system that is fit for purpose, affordable and supports our industry. EIT is the training hub for our people and it’s part of the preparation season for our future emerging leaders. We have an array of excellent tutors absolutely committed to the training and development of our future foreman’s and managers.
Our AGM is set down for Thursday 19th September. Details will come soon. I encourage as many of you to come and hear how our past year has gone and what we are looking ahead to into 2025.
I want to congratulate Dean Smith (Our previous GM) on his recent appointment to the Summer Fruit New Zealand’s new CEO. Dean had been an outstanding contributor to HBFA and I am sure he will add tremendous value to SFNZ
Keep an eye out for all of our up-and-coming events. The purpose of these events are for people/growers to connect, share and have some downtime.
Kia Kaha
Brydon Nisbet
