Articles

Christchurch, New Zealand – 14 August 2025 Pukekohe agronomist Jamie Wells has been recognised as a rising star in New Zealand’s potato industry, taking home the Shining Star Award at last night’s Potato Industry Awards 2025. The 30-year-old agronomist at Balle Bros was honoured for his exceptional leadership potential and commitment to advancing potato farming,…

New Zealanders eat fresh potatoes more often than any other vegetable, but rather than recognising their health and nutritional benefits, many still see them as just a ‘carb’, according to new research. The consumer insights study from Potatoes New Zealand reveals that more than two-thirds of people eat fresh potatoes at least twice a week,…

Voting is open for the HortNZ board directors’ election – we have nine candidates standing to fill three vacancies (in alphabetical order): Simon Cook, Shane Flynn, Tom Keefe, Dermott Malley, Lochie McNally, John Murphy, Carol Palmer, Erin Simpson and Shaun Vickers. Click here to go to the HortNZ website to learn more about each candidate –…

To stay ahead in a landscape shaped by environmental regulation, emerging pests, and shifting consumer demands, Potatoes New Zealand continues to invest in a robust Research, Development and Extension programme. Focused on supporting growers by reducing production challenges, increasing yields, and ensuring the sector remains competitive as well as sustainable, Potatoes New Zealand’s current Research…

The White-Fringed Weevil (Naupactus leucoloma) has been present in New Zealand since 1944, having originated in South America before spreading globally. While its impact in New Zealand has been relatively minor to date, the experience of our counterparts in Australia means we should stay alert to the threat – particularly with changing climatic conditions and…

Potatoes New Zealand welcomes the Government’s recent announcements backing the horticulture sector with practical reforms aimed at boosting grower confidence, improving productivity, and ensuring a more secure food future for Aotearoa. Chief executive of Potatoes New Zealand, Kate Trufitt, says:“This is a step in the right direction for the vegetable industry. Policies that remove unnecessary…

Potatoes New Zealand is proud to celebrate the International Day of Potato on 30 May 2025, joining global efforts to recognise the significance of one of the world’s most important staple crops. This year’s official theme — “Shaping history, feeding the future” — reflects the potato’s remarkable journey through time, from traditional farming communities to…

Pests can cause extensive damage to crops. We need to work together to develop effective and sustainable pest control in agriculture using the principles of integrated pest management. Potatoes New Zealand’s Paula Lleras and Dr Paul Horne, IPM Technologies Pty Ltd When controlling pests, it is often assumed that pesticides are the only option but…

The recent fruit fly incursions in Auckland and the detection of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) in Australia serve as stark reminders that our potato industry faces similar serious threats, including Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid (PSTVd). Kate Trufitt : Potatoes New Zealand chief executive When – not if – a new pest or disease…

In the New Zealand potato industry, we are continuously updating and improving potato genetic resources available in order to improve productivity, quality and opportunities. New varieties are frequently being imported and trailed to determine potato varieties best suited for the New Zealand climate conditions, soil types and market requirements. SASA and imported potato varieties New…