March 2026

As we head into halfway through the year and into the winter season, harvest is wrapping up in many regions and the focus is shifting to storage and delivering a quality crop to your customers.

It is a busy time balancing the season just gone with planning ahead for the next, for those heading to field days we look forward to seeing you there.

At the end of May we celebrated International Day of the Potato – an opportunity to recognise what a key role the mighty potato plays across the world.

In this edition, we share the latest updates and practical insights to support you over the winter period.

As always, the Potatoes New Zealand team is here to help — please get in touch with any queries, ideas or feedback.

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Potatoes New Zealand

Keeping the Mighty Potato Celebration Going

While International Day of Potato on 30 May has come and gone, the celebration does not stop there — in fact, we are just getting started.

Throughout May, we saw an incredible response to our daily recipe series, with Kiwis embracing the versatility, flavour and goodness of potatoes in kitchens across the country. From comforting classics to fresh new favourites, it’s clear that potatoes continue to inspire at every meal.

As we head into June, we’re encouraging everyone to keep the celebration going:

Try a new potato recipe each week
Share your favourite dishes with family and friends
Explore different varieties and cooking styles
Keep celebrating the mighty potato in all its forms

Potatoes remain a powerhouse in Kiwi kitchens — delivering flavour, nutrition and everyday versatility that fits any occasion. Whether it’s a hearty winter meal or a quick midweek favourite, there’s always a place for potatoes on the plate.

Let’s keep the inspiration rolling and continue celebrating potatoes all winter long.

International Day of Potato 2026 Promotion – Winners Announced

A big congratulations to our International Day of Potato promotion winners — we loved seeing your enthusiasm and passion for cooking with potatoes. We were thrilled by the 1,045 entries to this special celebration promotion. Prize bundles are on their way, and we can’t wait to see what you create next.

And the Winners are:

Eva Tombs, Nelson
Mark Ebrey, Tauramarunui
Samantha Street, Hawkes Bay
Gabrielle Sheddan, Auckland

A partnership rooted in growing great food and healthy futures!

Big news this International Day of the Potato — Potatoes New Zealand is proud to begin a partnership with Garden to Table.

Together, we are helping tamariki (children) across Aotearoa grow, cook and enjoy the mighty potato.

“From the far north to the deep south, thousands of tamariki in our kura (schools) and early learning centres LOVE growing, cooking and eating yummy potatoes together.” — Ani Brunet, CEO, Garden to Table

“Potatoes are a much loved staple, and we are proud to support the next generation to connect with growing, cooking and enjoying them.” — Kate Trufitt, CEO, Potatoes New Zealand

WEBINAR: Insights and Outcomes – Halfway Through

Potatoes New Zealand Update, presented by Kate Trufitt, Chief Executive Officer.

Kate provides an update for the potato industry on what is happening to keep everyone informed .Watch NOW >>

Agronomy Summit 2026 – Register Now!

The Agronomy Summit is shaping up to be an unmissable event for potato growers, agronomists, researchers and industry partners from across Aotearoa. It is a day dedicated to research extension and connection—bringing people together to explore what’s happening now in research and development and what’s coming next for the potato industry.

This year’s Summit will combine local expertise with international perspectives, we have three international speakers who will share their insights. From agronomy learnings to emerging research and on farm solutions, the programme is designed to spark ideas, encourage discussion, and support more resilient and productive systems.

Just as importantly, the Agronomy Summit is a chance to connect with others in the industry—to swap experiences, learn from peers, and strengthen the relationships that underpin a strong potato sector.

Growers are encouraged to secure your place and be part of a day focused on knowledge, collaboration and the future of potatoes in New Zealand.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Agronomy Summit 2026
Thursday 6 August
Pukekohe Golf Club

Celebrating Agonomy Summit Sponsors

A huge thank you to our Agronomy Summit Sponsors for your valued support. Your contribution helps make this event possible, bringing our industry together to share knowledge, strengthen connections, and keep advancing excellence in potato growing.

We are proud to have you alongside us championing the mighty potato and agronomy for the industry.

GOLD SPONSORS

Fruitfed Supplies

Bioforce/Terresis

SILVER SPONSORS

Agworld

Corteva

De Sangosse

Horticentre

SGS

BRONZE SPONSORS

Alex McDonald Ltd

Syngenta

TriCal New Zealand

Wyma Solutions

Annual General Meetings and Grower Dinner with Horticulture Canterbury Growers Society, Potatoes New Zealand and Process Vegetables NZ

On Tuesday 25 August at 5pm, Potatoes New Zealand will be partnering with the Horticulture Canterbury Growers Society and Process Vegetables NZ to hold our respective Annual General Meetings at the Ashburton Events Centre.

All growers are encouraged to attend. This is a valuable opportunity to connect with fellow growers, board members and Potatoes New Zealand staff, and to have your say on important matters facing the industry.

Following the AGMs, attendees will enjoy a guest presentation from World Champion Mountain Runner Melissa Moon, before coming together over a delicious dinner to continue the conversation.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Youth Council Update

By Samuel Pye

For the Youth Council the month of May has been a busy one with our members attending a range of events such as university visits trying to make students aware of Potato industry as well as the career possibilities available. The university visits have included Massey University and Lincoln University.

We have also had Youth Council members attend the Vegetable Research Roadshow, which was a great opportunity for growers to be able to connect with one another and also learn about the research that is being done. Plus, to learn about the results from completed research.

Following this, the Youth Council recently had the second quarterly meeting where a range of topics were covered. They discussed reaching out to schools and the possibility of talking directly to the student about the industry.

The Youth Council is looking forward to the next meeting, where they will attend the Vegetable Industry Showcase in Wellington.

Youth Council members include:

Chair: Amber Davy
Secretary: Harry Maddox
Members: Bridgett James, Catherine James, Jamie Wells, Molly Green, Samuel Pye and Steven Rink

Find out more >>

Potato Masterpiece Photos

Next time you are in the kitchen creating a potato masterpiece, we encourage you to:

Take a photo of it or even better take a photos of you and your family enjoying a potato dish.
Send the image to info@potatoesnz.co.nz
Potatoes New Zealand may share your image on our communication channels, so we can all share potato deliciousness and showcase our much loved potatoes.

Website Update

Potatoes New Zealand has been busy working on our refreshed website, getting everything set up to help with making it a useful tool for everyone to use.

Please note that we are progressing getting things set up and are working through the entire website to make sure it is functioning correctly.

If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to complete the contact form and let us know.

Industry

Horticulture New Zealand Board election – Nominations now open

Nominations for two grower-elected positions on the HortNZ Board are now open

The vacancies arise as current Board members Alistair Petire and Doug Brown retire by rotation at the end of their first three-year term. Both are seeking re-election.

These elections present an opportunity for growers to contribute to the strategic direction of our pan-sector organisation.

The Board is seeking nominees with a mix of skills and experience who can help lead the sector through the opportunities and challenges ahead, and who are committed to HortNZ’s purpose of leadership, advocacy and influence for grower success.

Nominations close Friday, 19 June.

Click here to access the nomination form, position description and for more information on the Board election.

Horticulture New Zealand Leadership Programme – Applications Open Soon

Applications for the strongly contested HortNZ Leadership Programme Scholarships (and paid places) open soon.

Horticulture New Zealand is offering 12 scholarships covering programme fees and accommodation costs. There are also four positions available for a programme fee of $5,000 + GST plus accommodation.

The programme starts on 10 August 2026 in Auckland and is designed for current and emerging leaders in the fruit and vegetable industry and provides ‘ready-to-use’ leadership skills, such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem solving.

Take a read of our short introductory article or apply now.

Protecting Yourself Against Data Breaches

Having long, strong and unique password on your main accounts is one of the most effective way to protect yourself online.

If your email and password are exposed online, using different passwords for each account can help stop attackers from accessing other accounts too.

Find out more >>

Inductions On Farm: Have Your Say

Research shows there are a lot of resources, apps and tools available from different organisations to help support farmers with inducting new employees, visitors and contractors when they come on farm.

Safer Farms has a two-minute survey for farmers to complete. It will help to work out what else Safer Farms could be doing to support farmers in this area, so please take the time to have your say.

Have your say >>

Health, Safety and Wellbeing

Rural Support – Here to help and support

Sometimes you need to chat with someone who gets your issues, someone who has been there before.

Rural Support Trusts networks and training can help with all kinds of situations, and help you get through your current challenges.

Find out more >>

Keep your team on the field and at work: ACC injury prevention resources

Did you know New Zealand businesses lost more than 20 million working days to injury last year, and two-thirds of those injuries happened outside of work? For farmers who play sport, the risk is real.

A rolled ankle on the rugby field or a knock on the basketball court can quickly become a problem when the ground is ready to plant. When the farm doesn’t stop, you can’t afford to either. ACC’s Have a Hmmm resources offer simple, practical tips to help prevent winter sport injuries before they happen, so you can keep playing on weekends and keep working through the week

Have a Hmmm Hints >>

Events

Fieldays – Mystery Creek

10 – 13 June 2026
Mystery Creek, Hamilton

Fieldays is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest agricultural event and the ultimate launch platform for cutting edge technology and innovation.

Find out more >>

Golf clubhouse with carts and people on sunny day

Agronomy Summit 2026

Practical insights, shared knowledge, stronger potato industry.

The Potatoes New Zealand Agronomy Summit brings together growers, researchers, advisors, and industry partners to share practical knowledge, emerging research, and on-farm insights that support profitable, sustainable potato production.

Register Now >>

Annual General Meeting with Grower Dinner and Speaker

On Tuesday 25 August at 5pm, join Potatoes New Zealand, Horticulture Canterbury Growers Society and Process Vegetables NZ for our respective Annual General Meetings at the Ashburton Events Centre.

Register Now >>

Ashburton Event Centre building exterior with blue sky background

13th World Potato Congress

26 – 30 October 2026
Sawela Lodges, Naivasha, Kenya

The World Potato Congress brings together the global potato community every two years. Kenya 2026 will focus on sustainable agriculture, innovation, and building partnerships for a food-secure future. A must attend to stay relevant on a global level.

Find out more >>