Articles

Potatoes New Zealand – Ophir Spud Growing Competition – Easter 2021 Words by Kate Underwood Located right in the heart of Central Otago, amidst the rail trail, a remarkable village famous for recording the coldest temperature in New Zealand is home to some unexpected tuber-related rivalry. Enter the Annual Ophir Spud Growing Competition, held every…

As many of you know PNZ is looking for Government action to stabilise our industry’s markets, at a time of threat from the influx of frozen fries grown and processed in Europe, which are undercutting our locally grown equivalent. Bags of imported frozen fries from Belgium are being sold at nearly half the price of…

How to pick the right potato for the job! Ever been disappointed with your mash or roasties? It might be down to the type of potato you’ve chosen. It can be confusing trying to choose the right spuds for what you want to cook when you’re in the supermarket. Here’s how to get it right…

By Glenys Christian. Two Pukekawa trials are showing some early promise for potato growers when it comes to greater control of the potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (PTM). The pest, which comes from South America and has now been found in over 90 countries, particularly presents a problem around Pukekohe. This is due to the…

Potato Chat: Our monthly spud-spiration from Nutritionist & Food Writer Niki Bezzant 5 ways potatoes are great for your health Potatoes get a bit of bad press – shunned by carb-phobics; unfairly blamed for weight gain. But potatoes are a stealthy super food!  Here’s why you should include them in your diet. They’re full of…

FAMILY HAS ROOTS IN THE POTATO BUSINESS Words by Helena O’Neill. This is article first appeared in NZ Grower magazine and is published here with permission. Carrying on the family potato-growing business offers plenty of challenges and variety for South Otago’s Sarah Mosley. The 27-year-old swapped her hospitality career for horticulture over a year ago…

BBQ Crispy lemon wedges with herby whipped feta This recipe combines two great things about summer: freshly-dug, NZ-grown potatoes and the barbecue. Enjoy these wedges as a shared snack or side dish. Serves 4-6 1 kg floury potatoes, eg Agria 2 lemons 200g feta, crumbled ¼ cup cream cheese 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra…

SUMMER SPUD REPORT 2020-2021 By Gemma Carroll, PNZ Comms & Engagement Officer. It has been a mixed bag of weather across the country this Spring and Summer, with increased occurrences of extreme weather events. NZ agronomists and growers in our main growing regions had the following to say about the 2020-2021 potato season. In Pukekohe,…

New potato salad with wasabi peas This recipe celebrates perfect new season potatoes, and the surprising element of the wasabi peas goes beautifully with Christmas ham, lamb or salmon. Find wasabi peas in the Japanese section of your supermarket. Serves 4 1kg new potatoes Generous handful fresh herbs eg mint, chives, basil or parsley ½…