Presidents Report
We are halfway through the year already. Everything is about to gear up with summer fruit is already starting to move in some areas. Apple growers have also begun to apply early dormancy breaker sprays.
Before we know it we will be in full swing as another growing season begins.
It is always a difficult time for our industry when the recent news came out that a couple of prominent local orchard operations had to enter voluntary administration and liquidation.
This is never good, especially because of the impacts on people, local families, hard-working orchard teams and of course the effects on the fruit growing industry.
The wider industry has come around in support of the employees from these companies. Recently an open day was held where the employees from these companies were invited to attend. MSD led this initiative with NZ Apples and Pears, Hawkes Bay Fruit Growers Association and the East Coast Rural Support Trust, all there to support our industry colleagues. We had over 60 people attend. The result of this is that over 20 people have taken up new employment, with many more employer connections being facilitated. Our industry has a long history of looking out for one another and our focus remains on supporting the affected workers and families. HBFA are always here for our fruit growing sector – please get in touch if you would like to talk.
I recently attended the NZAPI EXPO 2026 in Queenstown. Always a great time to network with different growers from around the country. A major highlight of the NZAPI Awards Dinner at the Millennium Hotel was keynote speaker Dan Henry, the iconic voice and producer behind Hyundai Country Calendar. Dan shared real stories of rural New Zealand, connecting storytelling to our own everyday orchard realities.
Mel Ewers, from Nelson, received the Outstanding Contribution Award for her 50 + years of quiet leadership, dedication to compliance training, and steadfast mentorship across the sector.
“I’m currently at the combined Horticulture and RSE conference in Wellington. There are around 800 growers, employers, and industry leaders here to attend some excellent workshops with a great line up of speakers.
Up-date on TANK
There have been a few delays in the process as HBRC has asked for more time to consider TANK with the current reform process.
There is now a move toward the next phase which has included looking at what points each party is closer on, and points that are more challenging with parties’ positions.
Most of the Horticulture points fall into the latter. The next stage will see discussion on points where positions are closer.
We will wait to see what the next steps are on our points. And if the government reforms will have any impact.
Up-coming events include the National Young grower final being held in Cromwell in a months’ time. Maddi Sherridan from T&G Global will be representing us.
Also, a heads up (nice and early) Our AGM will be held on Wednesday 23rd September so be sure to put this in your calendars
Ngā mihi nui,
Brydon Nisbet
President
Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers’ Association
