Horticulture New Zealand is welcoming recognition of the importance of vegetable growing in the Government’s new
national direction on freshwater management.
‘HortNZ has worked with growers in Pukekohe and Horowhenua to demonstrate to central and local government that modern
vegetable growing techniques dramatically reduce environmental impact,’ says HortNZ Chief Executive, Mike Chapman.
‘Over the past decade, vegetable growers across New Zealand have been taking practical steps to reduce environmental
impact through precision irrigation and fertilizer application, sediment traps and buffer zones, retiring land, and
riparian planting.
‘This activity and investment will continue as vegetable growers throughout New Zealand do their part of improve
freshwater quality, while feeding New Zealanders and the world fresh, healthy and tasty vegetables.’
Today’s announcement allows a 10-year timeframe for the development and implementation of vegetable growing regimes in
Pukekohe and Horowhenua that meet new bottom lines, while safeguarding the domestic supply of vegetables. Pukekohe and
Horowhenua are key vegetable growing areas.
Today’s announcement also recognises that the regulations for growing vegetables need to be different to the regulations
for other land uses such as grazing.
HortNZ will continue to work with the Government on the freshwater reforms through its involvement in the drafting of
the supporting regulations.
The positive impact of fruit growing has already been recognised by the Government, which previously made decisions that
provide for the expansion of these operations.