Year in review

With 2019 drawing to a close, NZ Plant Producers chief executive Matthew Dolan looks back on a challenging, busy, and successful year.

As we head towards the end of 2019, we can look back on a successful but challenging year for NZ Plant Producers and our industry. I am proud of the way NZPPI and our members have come together to tackle some massive challenges during the year.

While our industry goes from strength to strength, we have seen an endless stream of policy changes and new regulations that have absolutely tested us. It’s pleasing to see our sector come together with a united voice and bringing constructive ideas at this critical time.

This year we lodged over twenty submissions on issues ranging from land and water policies, numerous import health standards, workplace education, plant variety rights, pests, kauri dieback, plastics, and employment law.

We play an active role alongside the primary sector organisations, working in areas like biosecurity and education. We are building a case to seek members’ support to join the Government Industry Agreement on Biosecurity (GIA) next year, bringing you closer to these sectors that represent your customers.

We have shown that plant producers absolutely understand the importance of biosecurity and many are a long way down the track of implementing systems and standards. NZ Plant Producers is developing a biosecurity scheme (PPBS) with MPI and industry, to be rolled out during 2020. This will enable those businesses to demonstrate their credentials and get recognition for the effort and investment they are making.

During the year we were in the regions and got up more driveways than ever before. The NZ Plant Producers team visited more than 40 members and our conference and SHED meetings have been hugely successful. Thanks to those that hosted these events and special thanks to Ellepot and our other sponsors for their support and enabling this to happen. There are many more of these events planned next year.

I am amazed at the level of engagement and contribution that our members have made this year. Whether it is attending meetings with Government, sitting on committees, contributing to submissions, or simply feeding us information, this engagement has been vital to our success.

Special thanks go to our team, who have stepped up to the challenge and made 2019 a huge success. Thanks also go to the Board and those of you who have contributed to the numerous committees and special interest groups that are now up and running.

Next year we will continue to work on building our membership and growing our business and our capacity to represent you. We are also working on better ways to connect with you.

With Christmas and New Year fast approaching, I hope you and your team get to enjoy some time away from work. It’s been a huge year, so taking time off to spend with family and to recharge is so important.

Enjoy your break and all the best for a great 2020!

Matt Dolan

SHED meetings in 2020

Following the recent success of our SHED meeting in Blenheim, we are planning two further meetings in February in Nelson and Christchurch.

• 26 February - Appletons Nursery, 160 Wakefield-Kohatu Highway, Wakefield, Nelson. The technical session will focus on soil health and nutrient management in open ground and containers. Reserve your free spot today by emailing attendees’ names to office@nzppi.co.nz using subject line NELSON SHED MEETING
• 27 February - Ambrosia Nursery, 57 Selwyn Road, Prebbleton, Christchurch. The technical session will look at Ambrosia’s latest automation for potting and dispatch. Reserve your free spot today by emailing attendees’ names to office@nzppi.co.nz using subject line CHRISTCHURCH SHED MEETING

In one afternoon, you have the opportunity to network with your plant producer colleagues, keep up with industry best practise, and get an update on NZPPI’s work behind the scenes. NZ Plant Producers chief executive Matt Dolan will update everyone on the Government’s current land and water policy review, including NZPPI’s submission to Government on behalf of you and the industry.

Food and refreshments will be provided.

SHED stands for See, Hear, Engage, Debate.

Eric Appleton

EPA approves biocontrol agent for Giant Willow Aphid

The Environmental Protection Authority notified its decision to allow the import and release of the parasitoid wasp for control of the Giant Willow Aphid on 3 December 2019.

NZ Plant Producers made a submission in support of the biocontrol agent and spoke at the public hearing in Wellington in October. Some members also made individual submissions to support the application.

Scion is getting ready to rear the wasp on mass in their Rotorua facility. The wasps will be released in a dozen sites across both islands in February and March 2020, with tree nursery growers some of the first to receive them. The programme is funded until June 2020 but a second year of wasp releases will be considered in 2021 if needed.

Conference 2020 update

The 2020 Plant Producers Conference – "Bringing Plants to Life" – will be held at The Grand Millennium, Auckland, on 27 and 28 May.

The conference theme next year is sustainability – in the environment, in your business, and in our industry’s crucial contribution to sustainability in the broader economy and society.

All members are encouraged to bring their staff along, both for the business opportunities at the conference, and the networking opportunities at the conference dinner.

Go Gardening magazine opportunities 2020

Retail growers and suppliers looking for a marketing edge in 2020, could consider indent offers to Mitre10, GIN, Palmers and Independents on the basis of advertising planned well in advance in Go Gardening magazine.

Now that each retail group has their own edition of Go Gardening, the opportunity is there to advertise exclusive product or lines best suited to one retailer, in their magazine. If retailers know a product will be advertised in Go Gardening, they are more likely to commit to numbers well in advance.

By producing an ‘advertising planner’ for retailers you can secure orders early, and reliably You can change out your ad for each magazine: Mitre10, GIN Group, Palmers and Independents at no extra cost. Or go in one version only at a discounted rate.

To discuss the many possibilities to suit your situation in 2020 contact Debbie on dpascoe@xtra.co.nz.

Next edition of Go Gardening is Autumn, out 1st March, contact Debbie by 15th January to secure your content!