News Roundup - 23 February

23 Feb 2021

Re-shaping resource management
Thirty years after it came into force, the legislative Frankenstein's monster that is the Resource Management Act will be reformed over the next few years. It's hard to overstate just what a big deal this is. Over the years, the Act has more than doubled in size.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/the-detail/story/2018784303/re-shaping-resource-management

Business support package opens today, to give alert level help
From today, New Zealand businesses can apply for the government's latest Covid-19 support package. Any business that has suffered a 30 percent drop in revenue for seven days is eligible for the payments.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/436944/business-support-package-opens-today-to-give-alert-level-help

Sales and Service Apprenticeships on the way for NZ
Good sales and customer service skills are often regarded as the sort of thing that you’ve either got, or you don’t. Scott Freeman, the innovator behind a new business called Apprento, plans to put a stop to that.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/prosper/your-stories/300220781/sales-and-service-apprenticeships-on-the-way-for-nz

Overhaul of confusing Holidays Act promised as Government accepts improvements
Employees will be eligible for a day’s sick leave from their first day of employment, and will be entitled to receive payslips so they can see how their leave is calculated, under proposed changes to the Holidays Act.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/124322611/overhaul-of-confusing-holidays-act-promised-as-government-accepts-improvements

More than $700m of the Covid-19 wage subsidy repaid before alert level change
Businesses had repaid more than $700 million of the wage subsidy before the country went into lockdown 3.0 last week.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/124298121/more-than-700m-of-the-covid19-wage-subsidy-repaid-before-alert-level-change

Accountants say working from home reimbursements should be easier
Accountants have welcomed a decision by Inland Revenue to extend tax relief for employers of remote workers facing extra costs. But they say the provisions, which has been shifted until September, need to be more permanent to reflect the long-term trend of working from home.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/124286215/accountants-say-working-from-home-reimbursements-should-be-easier

Lack of seasonal workers puts squeeze on harvest
This year's Wairarapa wine vintage is shaping up to be a good one - that's if they can get the grapes off the vine.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/124318862/lack-of-seasonal-workers-puts-squeeze-on-wairarapa-grape-harvest

News Roundup - 2 March

Living wage for hort workers, water shortage, COVID response, and more. It's a newsy kind of week.

News Roundup - 1 March

COVID support, Immigration NZ apology, supply chain, Auckland border, and more

COVID-19 Update - 1 March 2021

NZ Plant Producers is closely monitoring the latest level changes and its implications for our members.

Board Election Nominations Are Open

Stand for your industry! Nominations have now opened for three NZPPI Board roles: food, forestry and retail.

NZ Plant Producers acknowledges and thanks Carol Fraser

Carol Fraser, NZ Plant Producers’ ninth Honorary Life Member, passed away at home last week

Kellogg Rural Leadership Course 2 applications open now

Are you working in the food and fibre sector and passionate about growing your leadership style, your networks and contributing to your community and industry? If you are, then we encourage you to take the next step in your development and do a Kellogg Rural Leadership course.

News Roundup - 16 February 2021

COVID mostly, plus two economists!

COVID-19 update 15 February 2021

As of 11.59pm last night, Auckland returned to a Level 3 COVID alert, while the rest of New Zealand returned to Level 2. This will remain in force until at least midnight Wednesday, 17 February.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our labour survey

NZ Plant Producers would like to say thank you to everyone who participated in our labour survey, to identify your needs in labour, skills and training for 2021

Join NZ Plant Producers at Grow Ōtautahi Christchurch Garden Festival, 12-14 March

Grow Ōtautahi Christchurch Garden Festival is a vibrant, contemporary garden festival

News Roundup - 10 February 2021

Some particularly interesting news items for your elucidation

NZPPI appalled by the stupidity of plant smuggler

NZPPI is appalled by the actions of an Auckland woman caught smuggling plants, and putting New Zealand's environment at risk.

Plant production jobs showcased

Plant production joins other primary industries to promote careers and employment opportunities throughout New Zealand.

Myrtle Rust online tool

A new tool for managing myrtle rust is being developed to help plant producers make better decisions about when to apply fungicide sprays.

Native Nursery Forum

The NZPPI Native Nursery Group holds an online forum for members every month.

Tharfield Nursery SHED meeting - 18th February

Tharfield Nursery hosted a large NZ Plant Producers crowd at the SHED meeting last week. Covid-19 Level 3 was lifted on Tuesday evening, allowing members to travel from and through Auckland from as far away as Whangarei.

Innovation at Titoki Nursery

Titoki nursery introduced the Plant Paper system last year to save on plastic waste and found it speeds up plant production too.

News Roundup - 3 February 2021

All the news that is news, from here and around the world

NZPPI’s Reaction to Climate Change Commissions Report

The Climate Change Commission has published its advice to Government on how New Zealand should meet its 2050 climate change targets.

News Roundup - 26 January

COVID update, peanut news, and much more!

Stand for Your Industry in 2021

NZ Plant Producers has many opportunities to get involved in your industry this year.

News Roundup - 18 January

2021 Primary Industries Good Employer Awards opens for entries

Entries are open for the 2021 Primary Industries Good Employer Awards. The awards celebrate primary sector employers who demonstrate exceptional employment practices.

News Roundup - 13 January 2021

The century comes of age and the news comes in a convenient package

Nominating a NZ Plant Producers Honorary Life Member

Do you know any unrecognised leaders in our industry? Honorary Life Membership is the highest award granted by New Zealand Plant Producers Incorporated

Auckland Botanic Gardens publish an article about their 'Nursery Biosecurity Journey'

Bec Stanley and Wayne Dymond from the Auckland Botanic Gardens share their experience about biosecurity in their nursery.

News Roundup - 5 January

All the news that is news, from here and around the world

2020 - Our Year in Review

Our year in review (and what it year it was!) from NZ Plant Producers' CE, Matthew Dolan

Go Gardening Gift Cards & Vouchers Redemption Policy

A reminder that the Go Gardening Gift Card and Voucher system will be wound up, with the sale of cards and vouchers ceasing on 31 January 2021. NZPPI will redeem valid gift cards and vouchers from this point on. Please read this article to see the full redemption policy.

EMA's Public Holiday Guidelines for Employers

The EMA have released a guide to outline the fall of public holidays Christmas period, and when they should be paid out to your employees.

Visa changes for temporary workers

The Government has announced visa changes to allow temporary migrant workers in New Zealand to continue to fill labour shortages. Employers are still expected to genuinely seek to fill job vacancies with New Zealanders.

News Roundup - 21 December

What's been in the news in recent weeks

News Roundup - 14 December 2020

What's been in the news in recent weeks

Don’t Start a Cluster

In our plant-based industries we’ve learnt to identify and contain many different biosecurity problems over the past few years – fruit flies, myrtle rust, kauri dieback and others. These each represent an obvious risk to our environment, and a latent risk to the industry and individual businesses.

Plant Production Science

NZ Plant Producers launches a new science publication

NZPPI Releases Proposal on Retail Representation

The NZPPI Board is proposing to establish a new Retail Supply Chain Special Interest Group (SIG) to enable closer collaboration between Retail Plant Producers and Garden Retailers. The purpose of the proposed Retail Supply Chain SIG support is to strengthen the garden retail supply chain, with a focus on the future of the sector.

Minister Approves NZ Plant Producers' GIA Application

Last week the Minister for Biosecurity Hon Damien O’Connor approved NZ Plant Producers' application to join the Government Industry Agreement on Biosecurity (GIA).

NZ Plant Producers appoints Employment Relations Advisor

We are delighted to welcome Alice Schofield to the NZ Plant Producers team as our Employment Relations Advisor

Malus Import Health Standard Consultation

Ministry for Primary Industries is consulting on proposed changes to the Malus import health standard

Wellington SHED Meeting at the Botanic Gardens

NZPPI held the very first SHED meeting in the Wellington region on Thursday 26 November, hosted by the Wellington City Council Botanic Gardens at the Treehouse Visitor centre. A city of desk jockeys and home gardeners, we obviously focused on the ornamental and retail sectors relevant to this part of the country.

Privacy Act changes – what it means for you

An updated Privacy Act comes into force on 1 December 2020. While it strengthens some privacy rules, any business with sound privacy practices should be good to go!

Honorary Life Membership Citation – Peter Fraser

New Zealand Plant Producers Incorporated is very pleased to award Peter Fraser Honorary Life Membership of the Society. This award recognises your outstanding service and contribution to the plant nursery industry over many years.

Honorary Life Membership Citation – Carol Fraser

New Zealand Plant Producers Incorporated is very pleased to award Carol Fraser Honorary Life Membership of the Society. This award recognises your outstanding service and contribution to the plant nursery organisations and industry over many years.

Skills Shortages

The closure of NZ’s borders due to Covid-19 means that there will be lack of overseas workers – especially in high skill areas, like propagation.

GIA Update

NZPPI’s GIA application is due to be signed soon, now the new Government has been established.

Wellington Road Trip

Last week, NZPPI took to the road and visited nurseries in the Wellington region. Keeping in the theme of 2020 we thought it was high time we explored our own backyard.

NZ Election: Ministerial appointments

The new Government is now in place. NZPPI will be in contact with the key Ministers to congratulate them on their appointments, reminding them of the importance of our industry to the Governments objectives and NZ’s success and to inform them about the issues that are affecting us.

Mental Health & Resilience

This is a busy and stressful time for our industry so taking care of your mental wellbeing has never been more important.

Water Code of Practice

Despite recent rainfall, many regions of New Zealand still face the risk of water restrictions over the coming months. The NZPPI Water Working Group has developed a Code of Practice for Water Management.

Gene Editing Forum - Canterbury 2020

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020 was awarded to two women scientists involved in the discovery of the CRISPR technology, Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna. The tools they developed have taken the life sciences into a new epoch and a panel discussed whether they could ever be used here.

Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment meeting with NZPPI

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Simon Upton, and his advisers will hold a Zoom meeting with NZPPI about the management of pest plants this Thursday 19 November.

Government assigns $38.5m to plant imports

The allocation of $38.5 million in the 2020 budget for development of the plant imports system has been welcomed by our sector. Investment in the processes and infrastructure that supports this will benefit all New Zealanders.

Member survey results in

Our 2020 member survey is done – thanks to all who participated

NZ Plant Producers has issued its Manifesto for the 2020 Election

This election we have raised eight issues which much be addressed so our members can continue to thrive and produce the plants New Zealand so badly needs.

Auckland Moves to Covid-19 Level 2.5

Our Auckland members will be welcoming the move to Covid-19 Level 2.5, resuming open retail trade and ending the confusion and delays at the Auckland border.

Biosecurity summary

NZ Plant Producers has been busy with biosecurity. Here’s what we’ve been up to

Lincoln University resumes horticulture diplomas and degrees

The new Bachelor of Commerce (Horticulture) is designed to produce business leaders in the horticultural and food industries. The degree will provide the skills and knowledge to pursue a career in a management or advisory role.

Last Chance to Enrol in Women & Leadership NZ Development scholarships

Women working in the plants and horticulture sector can register their interest now in a scholarship worth up to $5000 towards a leadership development programme

Farm Debt Mediation Scheme

The Farm Debt Mediation Scheme assists primary sector businesses facing financial problems

GIA Consultation – Your Feedback.

Thank you to everyone that participated in our GIA consultation process during July. The feedback we received showed that there is a clear majority of support for NZPPI’s proposal to sign the GIA Deed. NZPPI has submitted and application to the Minister to sign the GIA Deed.

NZ Plant Producers support GIA proposal

NZ Plant Producers consultation in the Government-Industry Agreement on Biosecurity (GIA) has finished. Our members have shown overwhelming support for our proposal to sign the GIA Deed.

Membership renewals:

This is the time of year for NZPPI membership renewals. We will be distributing Turnover Declaration forms shortly.

Welcome to Alix Walles:

We are delighted to welcome Alix Walles to the NZPPI team as our Executive Assistant, starting on 3rd August.

Primary industry strategy

The government has released its long-awaited primary industry strategy, “Fit for a Better World”. This strategy highlights the importance of primary production in the Covid-19 recovery and beyond and proposes a transition to more sustainable, regenerative and profitable production.

Make the most of your NZPPI Membership

In addition to our Board roles, NZPPI has a number of Special Interest Groups and Subcommittees that help us to progress our work

Horticulturalists recognised in 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours

Four New Zealand horticulturalists were recognised yesterday in the Queen’s Birthday honours: Jo Dawkins Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM); Murray Dawson MNZM; Peter Smale MNZM; and Marie Taylor Queen’s Service Medal (QSM).

Covid-19 recovery - where to next for our industry?

NZ Plant Producers is in talks with the Government about how we can fast-track our industry development work to transform our industry to meet the future demand for plants

Gardening blossoms in Covid aftermath

Retail garden centres are reporting they are ‘run off their feet’ with sales far exceeding normal for the time of year. Despite the loss of Easter and Mother’s Day trading, customers are determined to attend to their gardens with many other forms of entertainment either restricted or unavailable.

Auckland water restrictions bite

Auckland Council and Watercare Services have implemented restrictions on water use across the Auckland region. Just as our sector emerges from the worst of the Covid-19 restrictions, our Auckland members have now been hit by a new alert system, which restricts water use.

Progress on plant imports advocacy

NZPPI has been advocating for a better plant imports system for over two years and we are really encouraged by the progress which is being made on a number of fronts.

John Liddle recognised by NZ Royal Institute of Horticulture

John Liddle has been recognised by the NZ Royal Institute of Horticulture

Welcome to our Newest Members

Welcome to our newest members

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