Weekly wrap up

As we head toward Christmas and the summer break, I want to thank you all for your hard work throughout what has been another demanding year for horticulture.

On Monday, I met with Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) officials to discuss the RSE scheme and emphasised the importance of certainty and workable settings for employers.

Tuesday was our final Horticulture Industry Forum for the year, followed by the celebration of 20-years of HortNZ - a moment to reflect on how far our sector has come and the dedication of growers who have driven that progress.

I was also briefed on the proposed changes to the Resource Management Act, which for our sector represents a positive first step. HortNZ sent out information on the proposals to growers on Thursday, and we will continue to keep you informed every step of the way. We anticipate further engagement with growers around the proposed changes in the New Year.

On Wednesday, I attended BusinessNZ’s meet and greet with National Party Ministers and MPs.

It was a great opportunity to reinforce the critical role horticulture plays in New Zealand’s economy and highlight the policy settings growers need to thrive.

Yesterday, I caught up with Phil Gregan from New Zealand Winegrowers, as we continue to collaborate closely on RSE matters.

Today, I am in Marlborough visiting growers and RSE stakeholders. These conversations on the ground are always vital for shaping our advocacy and ensuring we’re effectively representing growers’ interests.

Horticulture Conference 2026 - save the date

The Horticulture Conference is back in Wellington next year, 28-29 July. A pre-registration event will be held on 27 July following pre-conference RSE forums.

More information will be shared in the New Year.

NZGrower & Orchardist - December issue out now

Look out for the December issue of NZGrower & Orchardist which has been posted and will be with growers and subscribers soon. Read current and past issues of HortNZ's magazines here.

Seasonal visas overview

There has been plenty of discussion recently about the complexity of seasonal visas. The December issue of NZGrower & Orchardist includes an article that breaks down the seasonal visa landscape and explains what each visa is designed to do. You can read the article directly here.

For all RSE queries please contact rebecca.fisher@hortnz.co.nz and for all other seasonal visa queries please contact sarah.cameron@hortnz.co.nz

The holiday season is fast approaching. We know this is a busy time for many growers. To help keep things running smoothly from a certification perspective, here are a few reminders.  

Certification renewals  

If your NZGAP certification expires in December or early January, you should have received your renewal reminder. To avoid any potential certification delays over the holiday period please ensure all your renewal requirements (including payments) are completed no later than Friday, 19 December 2025.  

Upcoming audits 

If you are due for an audit between now and Christmas, please make sure you: 

• Confirm an audit date with your certification body (auditor), and
• Complete your self-assessment ahead of time
• Notify NZGAP of any scope changes, including the addition of new crops.

If you need any assistance, please email info@nzgap.co.nz or call 04 470 5867. 

Christmas closure dates 

Below are the Christmas closure dates for NZGAP and the certification bodies (auditors), so please get in touch prior to the holiday period.  

NZGAP  

The NZGAP office will be closed from 5pm Wednesday, 24 December and will reopen on Monday, 5 January 2026.  

AsureQuality  

Auditing and Horticulture Services are closed Wednesday, 24 December to Monday, 5 January 2026. Contact Customer Services with any urgent requirements. Phone 0508 00 11 22 or email customerservicess@asurequality.com. 

QCONZ  

QCONZ will be operating on a skeleton crew from Tuesday, 23 December 2025 to Monday, 5 January 2026.The horticulture@qconz.co.nz inbox will be monitored on non-statutory days, but please expect delayed response times. For any urgent queries, call 0800 726 695.