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Horticulture
The labour shortage could mean fewer strawberries on supermarket shelves this year.
Horticulture

Orchards gearing up for influx of DIY pickers amid horticultural worker shortage
The industry has been facing a severe worker shortage in recent months.
NZ election 2020

Growers ready to 'get on with business' after 'nuisance' election
Work began on Thursday.
Northland

Northland water storage project to allow up to 7000ha of horticultural development
The Labour Inspector viewed wage and time records for the company's 2017 harvest season.
Horticulture

Asparagus grower ordered to pay $50K in owed pay to migrant workers after 'crude breaches'
New Zealand is the third-largest producer of kiwifruit in the world.
Horticulture

Zespri monitoring situation as Italian kiwifruit orchards devastated by mystery disease 'like coronavirus'
The pineapples cost US$50 each.
Food and Drink

Is this the season's most Instagrammable fruit?
Related video: Avocado exports appear to be the latest COVID-casualty due to shrinking air freight capacity.
Health

'It's a real issue': Kiwis urged to be wary of black market avocados
The group taking kiwifruit reported extra benefits of vitality.
Health

New research reveals kiwifruit an effective mood booster
The industry is facing labour shortage.
Horticulture

Why there could soon be 'significant price increases' for some fruit and vegetables
The majority of avocado exports leave by air.
Coronavirus

Avocado exports drop amid air freight capacity woes
The industry said it was totally committed to protecting its workers.
Horticulture

Kiwifruit industry 'totally committed' to protecting migrant workers after Tauranga man charged with exploitation
The sector says foreign workers are essential.
Coronavirus

'Still a glimmer of hope': Growers remain optimistic foreign workers may be allowed in to ease labour shortage
Usually, about 14,000 workers come in to the country to work the apple season.
Coronavirus

'Not an option': Calls for fruit pickers to be let into NZ fall on deaf ears
Dargaville kūmara farmer Grant Suckling spoke to The AM Show.
Climate Change

The favourite Kiwi vege threatened by climate change
Hamish Mckerchar is enjoying the fresh air he gets working on a farm.
Agriculture

Why Kiwis are making the move to primary sector

Farmers say the South Island storm was the worst in 10 years.
Farming

Helicopters called in to help as orchardists, farmers reel from polar blast
German and common wasps are widely distributed in New Zealand.
Environment

Environmental group seeks to release parasitic insects to combat 'invading horde' of wasps
Horticulture
Exclusive
Horticulture

Kiwifruit industry warns of multi-billion-dollar hit if officials ban controversial chemical
People came far and wide to attend the well-anticipated festival.
Alexandra

Thousands of people attend Alexandra's Blossom Festival
A new Tomato venture in Northland may increase tomato yield in winter.
Horticulture

New project to increase tomato yield in winter
Horticulture
Agriculture

Fruit picking industry concerned immigration changes won't fix worker shortage
Gudger's 13-year-old American Bulldog, Dave.
Horticulture

'The spitting image of him': UK gardener stunned after digging up a potato that looks exactly like her dog
"They haven't been able to get staff in, so they're really going to be under the pump."
Rural

Farmers and growers call for help with labour shortages

With harvest season approaching and foreign labour unable to enter NZ, unions are trying to force an industry re-think.
Horticulture

Unions, growers at odds over fruit-pickers with border closed and season looming
Prices rose 38 percent.
Coronavirus

Tomato prices reach all-time high following lockdown shortage

The horticulture industry is still short about 5000 to 6000 workers.
Coronavirus

Growers concerned border exceptions won't ease labour shortage
Harvesting of asparagus is starting to begin.
Coronavirus

Horticultural industry pushes for extended visas for workers
The team at United Fresh and 5+ A Day.
Horticulture

Research reveals gender disparity in horticulture sector
RSE worker in a Hawke's Bay orchard.
Coronavirus

'Tonga needs to look after its own citizens': Concern mounts for stranded RSE workers
Watch: Kiwi honey producers are excited after an Oxford University study showed its effectiveness at treating coughs and colds.
Honey

'Truly exciting': Kiwi honey makers thrilled as study proves effectiveness at treating colds, coughs
Market gardens in Pukekohe, south of Auckland City.
Coronavirus

Vegetable growers warn Auckland checkpoints could impact flow of produce
The industry fought hard last lockdown to try to get Government approval to continue trading.
Coronavirus

Frustration as Auckland greengrocers forced to close in level 3 again
Orchardists say they'll be 9,000 backpackers down on the usual 16,000 when the season picks up in a couple of months.
Horticulture

Fruit growers concerned lack of workers could mean 'labour crisis' on the way
Related video: Tarras locals are outraged at the lack of consultation over a proposed airport.
Central Otago

'Very beneficial': Central Otago cherry growers back Tarras airport proposal
In a recent pilot, 2600 workers were surveyed and 1500 responded.
Horticulture

Kiwi company works to uncover horticulture worker exploitation
New Zealand has 7500 hectares of Sun Gold kiwifruit planted.
Horticulture

Illegal kiwifruit planting in China prompts legal action
Kiwifruit growers said they felt aggrieved by that verdict.
Horticulture

Kiwfruit growers given green light to lodge PSA appeal
Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor and Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Mike Chapman at the launch of the strategy.
Coronavirus

Post-COVID horticulture strategy aims to tackle harvesters' challenges
Related video: The lockdown came at harvest time for many horticulture businesses.
Immigration

Apple industry calls for holiday visas to be extended through harvest
Richard Gaddum says the view has changed for the worse over the years on his Havelock North farm.
Hawke's Bay

Farmers warn 'cancerous' urban spread could destroy productive growing land
Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway announced more changes to visa rules on Wednesday.
Immigration

'We need these people': Visa rules relaxed for stranded seasonal workers, farm employees
New Zealand exports cherries, peaches, nectarines and apricots to 19 countries around the world.
Horticulture

Summerfruit growers forced to change tactics in wake of COVID-19
The Government has announced a 10-year roadmap for the primary sector.
Updated
Coronavirus

The ambitious new plan to boost primary sector earnings by $44 billion
It follows a number of similar incidents in 2018.
Australia

'Deliberate acts': Needles found in strawberries, avocados in Australian supermarket
The orchards belong to the Aupouri Aquifer Water User Group.
Northland

Northland orchards accuse council of 'dragging its heels' on consent, say delays will cost jobs
The problem arises when gold kiwifruit are taken out of temporary cold storage.
Horticulture

The sticky problem with New Zealand's kiwifruit
Marlene Busby with the juniper tree she planted in her Egmont Village garden 30 years ago.
Horticulture

'There's an opportunity there': Local juniper berries could be game-changer for NZ gin makers
A tomato covered in the red spider mites.
Horticulture

Tomato red spider mite pest discovered in New Zealand for first time
The money will go to developing an 18.8 hectare blueberry orchard.
Whakatane

Whakatāne horticulture project promises dozens of jobs for Māori food producers
Te Rarawa is developing a water storage facility near Kaitaia, which is expected to create much-needed jobs and sustainable economic development for the region.
Horticulture

Far North iwi Te Rarawa turns soil on water storage facility