The conference has now finished. Thanks to all those who came along, we hope you enjoyed your time with us.

This year’s horticulture conference is all about our food story.

The horticulture story underpins everything we as an industry do. We need to tell urban New Zealand, politicians, and other decision-makers about our story. And horticulture has a fantastic story to tell.

It is one about growth, a significant contribution to New Zealand’s financial well-being, environmental sustainability, safe and healthy food, the increasing value of our exports, and an industry with many and varied career opportunities. The vital contribution that horticulture is and will increasingly continue making to New Zealand as a whole, as well as the communities we grow our produce in, is something that is not well known and that is, our focus on sustainable farming through generations of growers.

Every day we are looking for ways to bridge that gap and increase awareness, knowledge and understanding, so that those who make the decisions can understand the importance of our work.

This year we are returning to the South Island, this time to Canterbury, at the Air Force Museum in Wigram. We are working with Horticulture Canterbury to offer up a uniquely Canterbury experience. This year’s horticulture conference is a partnership between Horticulture New Zealand, New Zealand Apples and Pears, Vegetables New Zealand Inc, Tomatoes New Zealand Inc and Process Vegetables New Zealand. We look forward to welcoming you to Canterbury.

We look forward to having you here with us in Christchurch.

Nau mai. Haere mai. Welcome.

Mike Chapman
Chief Executive
Horticulture New Zealand