Welcome to Dr Travis Ancelet

Travis joined the NZPPI team this week as our Biosecurity, Science and Technical Manager. Travis comes with excellent credentials in science and policy, including a PhD in chemistry. Travis has just completed the ‘Masters of Business Administration’ qualification at Victoria University.

Dr Travis Ancelet

Most recently Travis led the Ministry for the Environment’s climate change and air quality environmental reporting programme.

Travis says he is looking forward to engaging with plant producers to support timely, evidence-based responses to biosecurity issues and, to drive greater investment in research relevant to our members.

One of his first assignments is to set up the NZPPI Science Committee in the new year.

Biosecurity 4.7 Million getting on board

Biosecurity New Zealand is ramping up the myrtle rust monitoring and reporting as the season is upon us.

It has developed an online programme to support community-based surveillance by interested groups to be launched in the New Year. This programme will be on a new website together with useful myrtle rust information from both Biosecurity New Zealand and the Department of Conservation.

Biosecurity New Zealand’s Manager for Recovery and Pest Management, John Sanson, says a cross-sector working group has developed a national long-term management plan for myrtle rust.

Biosecurity NZ is developing a Myrtle Rust Science Plan, which the Myrtle Rust Strategic Science Advisory Group will work on in early 2019.

“We are investing significantly in scientific research to develop new tools, build understanding of myrtle rust and explore possible long-term management options with a $3.7 million programme of research. An additional $5 million funding increase from the Strategic Science Investment Fund will build on work already being done by Government agencies, Māori, councils, and research providers over the next three years,” Mr Sanson says.

Myrtle Rust on Metrosideros

Matthew Dolan attended the December Myrtle Rust Science Symposium in Wellington. He says it brought together a wide range of expertise to discuss what we have learned since myrtle rust arrived in New Zealand, and they explored ideas about the science that will be needed to help find ways to manage myrtle rust now and in the future.

The PVRA is being reviewed

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is preparing to review the Plant Variety Rights Act 1987 (PVRA) and are seeking feedback about what, if anything, could be done to improve the current plant variety rights (PVR) system. An issues paper is available from the MBIE website here

NZPPI is preparing an initial submission this week to highlight some of the issues that are relevant to our sector.

These include:

• The PVR Act is over 30 years old and due for review
• The current system is complicated and costly
• Governance of the system is poor
• PVR protections are not strong enough to prevent abuse and free-ridings
• Whether the export of propagating material should be protected.

NZPPI will provide initial feedback about the current system and we aim to be involved in the review process early next year.

This is an important topic for our industry, as a number of NZPPI members either own, or use PVRs.

If you would like to be updated about the review or to provide input into our submissions and feedback, please let Travis know.

Email Travis: travis@nzppi.co.nz or call him on: 04 918 3511.

NZPPI member at the top table

Director of Lyndale Nurseries Auckland, Malcolm Woolmore, has been appointed to represent the horticulture industry in an MPI working group that will look at New Zealand’s plant imports system.

Malcolm Woolmore

Malcolm will join the First Principles Working Group that assess the system for setting import requirements for plants and seeds in the future.

This review covers plant imports across horticulture and the rest of the primary sector.

NZPPI nominated Malcolm for this role and his appointment was supported by the rest of the horticulture sector. His appointment is an example of how NZPPI and our members are increasingly playing a leadership role within the primary sector.

Is your business ready for payday filing?

A reminder that payday filing becomes mandatory in April next year. This means that you need to get your business ready to start payday filing as soon as possible before it becomes compulsory.

Inland Revenue’s website provides information about payday filing and videos to help you get ready. If you have any questions, please contact: IRTransformation@ird.govt.nz

NZPPI 2019 Conference dates confirmed

To give members of both NZPPI and IPPS the ability to attend both conferences if they wish, we have moved the NZPPI conference a week forward from initially indicated. In future our conference dates will offer a little more time between each and not run into the busy period of Spring preparations as per feedback from members.

Christchurch, Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 May 2019

The conference is shaping up with a strong innovation and future focus theme. We will keep you informed and be opening registrations early next year.

2019 Young Achiever Competition opens soon

New Zealand Plant Producers will shortly be calling for nominees for the NZPPI Young Achiever Award 2019.

This is an annual competition that aims to encourage and reward young adults who are excelling in their chosen career. Applicants must be under 30 years who have:

• a passion for the nursery and garden industry
• have an excellent knowledge of the products they deal with, plus
• can demonstrate their managerial and leadership abilities.

The Young Achiever competition will push entrants to learn valuable new skills, give them exceptional networking opportunities with industry leaders, and boost their careers.

Applicants are assessed by a panel of industry professionals, and three finalists are selected. The finalists are accommodated to attend the NZPPI Conference in May in Christchurch where they participate in a series of activities to test their skills. Their performance is assessed by NZPPI judges and the winner is announced at the Gala Dinner.

Young Achiever trophy

The winner of Young Achiever will then go on to represent the nursery industry at the Young Horticulturist of the Year competition.

The entry form will be available soon but, in the meantime, we invite you to start the conversation with your employees / employer.

For more information and to check out past winners, visit the website.

Seasons greetings and office hours

The NZPPI office will close on Christmas Day and reopen on 3 January 2019. For urgent assistance during this time call CE Matthew Dolan: 0276 229 255 or email: matt@nzppi.co.nz

We thank you for your support throughout 2018 and wish you and your families a safe and relaxing Christmas.

Member retailers

The NZPPI phone will go to voicemail until Monday 7 January. Messages will then be managed and actioned.

During this time, for retailers requiring help with processing gift cards, the numbers to call are:

1. Go Gardening brand cards – call Ecards 0508 432 273
2. Gift Station brand cards – call EPay 0800 64 9999
3. And to check a gift card balance, go to gardenvouchers.co.nz

Members of the public will be directed to an 0800 number for assistance.

©2018 NZPPI
New Zealand Plant Producers Incorporated
PO Box 3443, Wellington 6140
Level 5, 23 Waring Taylor Street, Wellington
P: 04 918 3511 | F: 04 499 9589
E: info@nzppi.co.nz | W: www.nzppi.co.nz