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.
Miriana Stephens has been named the recipient of this year’s Horticulture New Zealand President’s Trophy.
The HortNZ President’s Trophy recognises people with a passion for working on behalf of the horticulture industry, as well as a commitment to developing as a business leader and successful grower.
HortNZ president Barry O’Neil says Stephens is shaping the future of the horticulture industry by example.
Stephens is a director of Wakatū Incorporation, which grows apples, kiwifruit and pears in its Motueka Orchards under the business, Kono.
She comes from a family of growers who are involved in land trusts that own and manage a collection of businesses.
She has also been involved in several governance groups and was a founding member of the Primary Sector Council. In 2016, she was awarded the Aotearoa New Zealand Māori Woman Business Leader award.
“To Miriana, business is not just commercial – it involves being a kaitiaki of the whenua and moana, as well as being commercially responsible,” says O’Neil.
Stephens says she loves the horticulture sector.
"However, it is tough out there at the moment. That is why we must work together as a sector to realise our potential.
"I look forward to the future and what we can achieve together, despite our challenges."
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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