HortNZ levy vote looming
Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are being urged to their say in the upcoming levy referendum to enable Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) to continue its work for the sector.
MG – Market Gardeners Ltd (MG) Auckland Branch – has won a 2022 Horticulture New Zealand Environmental Award.
“MG has won the award in recognition of its real commitment to environmental sustainability,” says HortNZ President Barry O’Neil who presented the award at a vegetable growers’ function in Pukekohe on 27 July.
“Thanks to MG’s focus and investment, the cooperative has made a measurable long-term difference, delivering a 57% reduction in carbon emissions by converting to natural refrigerants, installing solar and diverting food waste away from landfill at its flagship branch in Auckland.”
Two years ago, MG signed off on its first sustainability roadmap, which has set the direction and defined improvement targets. This included focusing on their Auckland branch, having worked out that the bulk of their carbon emissions came from electricity consumption, refrigerants and food waste.
“As a co-operative, we have a strong focus on making decisions today that benefit future generations,” says MG general manager of communications and sustainability, Ellery Tappin.
“While the sustainability projects delivered at our Auckland branch have been driven by the MG Board, management and team on-the-ground, the improved performance is delivered on behalf of the grower shareholders who own our co-operative.
“We are particularly proud that our investment in sustainable projects is not window dressing – rather, it’s making a real measurable difference.”
O’Neil says HortNZ would usually give out its annual awards at the annual Horticulture Conference.
“Sadly, we decided to cancel the Horticulture Conference this year due to all the uncertainties created by Covid. However, the HortNZ Board felt it was important to celebrate growers’ success, so the annual awards are being presented at replacement grower events around the country.”
Other award winners will be announced at a vegetable growers’ event in Christchurch on 4 August and at the HortNZ AGM in Nelson on 21 September.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
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