New Zealand horticulture lays out roadmap for recovery from pandemic

New Zealand’s horticulture sector has come together with the government to devise a strategy for the country post-Covid. Published on 15 July, the roadmap contains the detailed steps required to accelerate the recovery. Antony Heywood, chief executive of Vegetables New Zealand, expressed his optimism with the collaboration, given that the wealth of expertise in the horticulture industry is often compromised by a lack of government insight into and understanding of the industry.

The strategy includes aspects relating to trade and market access; labour, capability and skills; climate change and natural resources; improved and sustainable production systems; telling the horticulture story; partnership with Maori; technology and innovation; diversity; big data and removing barriers to growth and success.

Mike Chapman, chief executive of Horticulture New Zealand, said,

“The success of this new level of cooperation led to the conclusion that it would be great if we all continued to work together to develop a strategy combining industry and government expertise to ensure that horticulture is able to maximise its contribution to New Zealand’s post-Covid recovery. The outcome we are all looking for is growth, jobs and regional economic prosperity, within the context of the broader recovery.”