Happy New Year, and welcome to the first newsletter for the year.

I’m sure many growers have one eye on the orchard and another on the weather map. From some extremely dry conditions in some regions to rain in other parts of the country, it’s a reminder of just how vulnerable horticulture is to the climate.

2025 ended in a flurry with the Government’s proposed RMA planning reforms, announced in late December. The team and I continue to work through the details of these proposals, and we are supportive of the intent of the Government with these changes, seeing them as a positive first step to providing a more workable system for growers, however we are wanting to ensure that the proposed wording of the draft bills does in fact deliver on this intent. We have a number of grower webinars scheduled, so if you're interested in learning more, register to attend. More information can be found below.

On the trade front, the Free Trade Agreement with India represents an important long-term opportunity. While the full commercial impact will take time to be realised, particularly for products with phased access, the agreement helps pave the way for new export opportunities in a large and growing market, whilst also helping the sector to achieve the ambitions set out in the Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan.

We’re also monitoring the Biosecurity New Zealand responses to the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly earlier this month and yellow-legged hornets in October, both in Auckland.

Finally, there were changes to settings for the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme announced by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment just prior to Christmas. 

A new approach to accommodation costs will take effect from April 2026. The approach is intended to provide greater fairness and consistency for both employers and workers. You can find more information about the changes here.

It is of course an election year, which makes it an important one for horticulture.

We’ll be focused on ensuring growers’ voices are heard, keeping the practical realities of running a business front and centre, and working with all political parties on policies that support productivity, investment and long-term sector growth.

Best of luck for the year ahead.

Horticulture Conference 2026 - save the date

The Horticulture Conference is back at Takina Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wellington this year, 28-29 July. A pre-registration event will be held on 27 July following pre-conference RSE forums.

More information will be available soon. 

Online grower meetings on Resource Management Reform (RMA)

The Government has introduced two new bills to Parliament that will replace the RMA with a new resource management system – the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill. HortNZ will submit on these bills and appear before the Select Committee. Submissions are due 13 February 2026. 

HortNZ is hosting online grower information sessions, where growers are welcome to meet to discuss our submissions on the Planning Bill, Natural Environment Bill and local government reforms. Feel free to drop-in to one or more sessions. 

Session times:

• Wednesday 21 January 2026, 12pm
• Wednesday 28 January 2026, 12pm

Register here.

Share your thoughts directly with emily.levenson@hortnz.co.nz or 027 305 4423 to feed into our submissions.

Upcoming transition to MPI's new online trade certification system

As mentioned in our newsletter in early December, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is in the process of transitioning to a new electronic certification system – MPI Trade Certification – which will replace several existing systems including ePhtyo. From March 2026, the new system will be used for requesting, verifying and issuing phytosanitary certification. In preparation for the transition all ePhyto users should have received an email directly from MPI at the beginning of October, with an invitation to register.

In addition, there are upcoming webinars which will include a demonstration of the new system. For plant products, the next webinar will be on Wednesday 21 January from 1-2.30pm, and you can register here.

Further information is available here or you can email futurecertification@mpi.govt.nz

Queensland fruit fly update

Significant biosecurity work continues in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill, with no signs of any further Queensland fruit flies. All restrictions remain in place.

For more information click here.

Money Matters workshops: Rural Women Taking Charge

Workshops are being run across the Bay of Plenty in collaboration with Beef + Lamb New Zealand for rural women involved in horticulture, including orchards, growers, rural businesses, and family finances.

The sessions are practical and supportive, with a strong focus on building confidence and understanding around money, using real-world rural examples.

Topics covered will include:

• Understanding orchard, farm, and personal finances
• Financial goals, managing inflation, and investing basics
• Asset planning, family trusts, relationship property, wills, and inheritance.

Click here for more information including dates and locations and, to register.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council water-take consents expiring in 2026

Recent changes to the Resource Management Act do not extend the duration of water-related consents granted prior to 1991. This includes consents for water takes, structures, and discharges to water. These consents are subject to a maximum duration of 35 years and will therefore still expire on 1 October 2026.

To continue taking more water than what is allowed under permitted activity rules, consent holders must apply for a replacement consent

• By 1 October 2026, or

• By 1 April 2026 to secure the water allocation associated with your current consent (section 124 of the Act).

The Regional Council will contact affected consent holders directly in early 2026.

Further information on the legislative changes can be found here or the replacement consent process here.

Unconsented water take checks

This summer, compliance officers will be out checking that unconsented water takes comply with the rules. If you’re exceeding these thresholds, it’s time to apply for a resource consent.

MG Charitable Trust Grower 2026 Education Fund - applications open

Applications are now open for the MG Charitable Trust 2026 Grower Education Fund, offering growers subsidies ranging from $6,000 to $14,000 towards four leading development programmes:

• Rabobank Farm Managers Programme

• Rabobank Executive Development Programme
• Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme
• Mayfield Group Governance Development Programme 

Find details on the available programmes and how to apply at here. Applications close 13 March 2026.