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Damaged buildings on Wakefield Street, Wellington. Photo: @nkpnz on Twitter.
HortNZ’s offices in the capital are closed again today but will re-open tomorrow.
The chief executive of HortNZ, Mike Chapman says engineers have inspected their building which is at the northern end of Featherston St, Wellington, and says there is only superficial damage and it will be safe for staff to work in it.
The rest of Featherston St where Federated Farmers and Beef+Lamb NZ are located remains closed due to fears of glass falling on to the street from broken windows and the added fear of high winds in the capital.
Chapman says the reports they have had so far from growers in areas affected by the quake suggest there has been no damage to glass houses.
He says the biggest issue facing the sector is the damage to transport infrastructure. Chapman says the problem is getting produce across Cook Strait and the state of the roading network from Picton to Christchurch. He says the HortNZ board will be meeting soon to work out how best to meet this challenge.
In a matter of weeks, stone fruit from Central Otago will be ready and Chapman says they may have to consider shipping this from Dunedin or Timaru to the North Island as SH1 from Christchurch to Picton will almost certainly be closed.
Ironically he says, the coastal shipping option may be cheaper than the normal road transport system
The horticulture sector is under threat because of vulnerabilities of the country's transport infrastructure, according to a report commissioned by a collective representing a range of groups in the sector.
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) has released its 2026 election manifesto, outlining priorities to support the sector’s growth, resilience, and contribution to New Zealand’s food security and export revenue.
Matt McRae, a farmer from Mokoreta in Southland who runs a sheep, beef and dairy support business alongside a sheep stud, has been elected to the Beef +Lamb NZ Board as a farmer director.
The 2026 New Zealand Horticulture Conference is set to see more than 900 growers, employers, service providers and industry stakeholders gather in Wellington in July.
Federated Farmers is celebrating following the Government's announcement that young farmers will be able to use their KiwiSaver funds to buy their first home or farm.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced changes to the ministerial lineup, including a new Minister for the Environment and a new Associate Agriculture Minister.
Farmers are being offered help to protect themselves and their people while using quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles on farm.
Two major acquisitions in the New Zealand dairy sector were completed this week.
Precision Farming says that its expansion into Australia signals rapidly accelerated connectivity for farmers and growers on both sides of the Tasman when it comes to efficient vehicle management.
Winning four of the big categories at the 2026 New Zealand Cheese Awards feels special, says Meyer Cheese general manager Miel Meyer.
Local cheesemakers are being urged to embrace competition from imports but also ensure their products are never invisible in the country.
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