Don’t delay, get replacement consent applications lodged by 30 November (this year)!
If you have a regional council resource consent that expires next year (on 31 May 2026) you need to apply to replace it by the end of this November (ie. 30 November 2025) to ensure that you can continue to keep doing the activity it authorises (like irrigating) while the regional council process your application. You should have received a letter from the regional council letting you know that you need to do this, but if you are unsure please get in touch, as we can easily check consent expiry dates for you.
Water permits in Haumoana/Tukituki Road area
A number of growers who have recently expired water permits in the Black Bridge/Haumoana area have received first a s92 letter, and then more recently an email from the regional council about these applications. Both have been quite confusing. HortNZ’s advice is to reply to the regional council email and clearly say two things: 1) that you want processing of your application/s put on hold until a decision is made by the Environment Court on PC9/TANK; and 2) that you will likely join the group assessment but need more information from the council about the scope and likely cost of the work before you could confirm that.
Make sure your water use is being accurately recorded
Having accurate water take records is becoming more and more important. Make sure your water meter and telemetry unit (if you have one) are both functioning correctly and accurately recording and reporting all water that you are taking under any water permit/s you have
TANK Plan Change
Nothing substantive to report other than that the Environment Court hearing will be in Autumn/Winter next year (exact dates yet to be confirmed) and we (HortNZ) are currently working hard to pull together evidence from a number of technical experts to support our case.
Any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Charlotte Drury on 0273225595 or Charlotte.Drury@hortnz.co.nz
|
Hort NZ Update for RSE Employers
Horticulture New Zealand is leading the response to the Employment Court’s judgement on Soapi v Pick Hawke’s Bay and have an update for growers below.
While NZAPI is working closely with HortNZ through on the implications of this case, we cannot offer legal advice. It is important you seek your own legal advice.
HortNZ updates:
- We continue to seek meetings with a range of Ministers and Government officials to impress upon them the seriousness of the situation and the need for an urgent solution.
- Last week we met with Minister Hoggard and Minister Grigg, they appreciated the issues that this case has created. We asked them to advocate to Minister van Velden (who is responsible for the relevant legislation) and ask her to reconsider her refusal to meet with us.
- We have written to Minister Peters and Minister Jones to request a meeting, though they do not have direct responsibility for the RSE Scheme, they have been strong allies for horticulture, and we hope to gain their support for resolving this situation in a timely manner. Especially considering the implications for our relationship with the Pacific and Minister Peters’ role as Foreign Affairs Minister.
- Unfortunately, Minister Seymour has declined to meet with us, and we are still awaiting a response from Minister Stanford.
- We encourage you to reach out to your electorate MPs as they may be able to advocate to Ministers on your behalf. HortNZ is happy to provide a template or a guide for engagement, please email phoebe.murphy@hortnz.co.nz
- We continue to work with our lawyers around a solution, and they have drafted suggested changes to the Minimum Wage Act 1983 and the Wage Protection Act 1983. We have shared these with MBIE’s Chief Executive and Ministers as a way to address the primary issue of deductions.
Please continue to send Phoebe.murphy@hortnz.co.nz any questions so HortNZ can express to MBIE the depth of concern from RSE Employers regarding how they continue to operate within the law. |
|
|
