As we ease into autumn, March brings a fresh change in the air. Whether you’re harvesting the last of your summer crops, preparing for cooler days ahead, or simply enjoying the transition of the seasons, there’s plenty to look forward to this month.
In this edition, we’re inviting members to attend Potatoes New Zealand Special General Meeting as well as an opportunity to meet the Board. We are also opening applications for the Potato Business School Scholarship, sharing the Emerging Leaders Programme and encouraging you to attend the Vegetable Research and Innovation Roadshow, plus some helpful insights to keep you informed and inspired. Read on to find out more.
Potatoes New Zealand – Special General Meeting
Members are invited to attend a Potatoes New Zealand Special General Meeting (SGM) to discuss important matters requiring member input and resolution. Primarily the changes to the Potatoes New Zealand Constitution. Find out about the Constitution >>
Tuesday 20 May | 3pm to 5pm
Ashburton Events Centre, 211A Wills Street, Ashburton, Canterbury
Member participation is essential to ensure a quorum and that decisions made reflect the collective interests of our membership.
Please confirm your attendance by Monday 12 May. We look forward to your presence at this important meeting.
Meet the Potatoes New Zealand Board – Pukekohe
This is your opportunity to connect with the Potatoes New Zealand Board and have a casual chat about our sector and any concerns/comments you may have.
The Board plays a key role in governing the industry body – helping to direct research, innovation and policy to support growers and the wider potato community.
You can hear from Board members, ask questions, as well as discuss the challenges and opportunities of the industry in an informal setting. It’s also a great opportunity to network and strengthen industry connections.
Wednesday 5 March | 6pm – 8pm
Franklin Club, 7 East Street, Pukekohe
Potato Business School Scholarship – Applications Open!
The Potato Business School Scholarship aims to encourage involvement, support professional development and increase skills in the potato industry. It supports research and development into all aspects of the farming and sale of potatoes and potato products and the general development and promotion of the potato industry.
Potatoes New Zealand recognises the importance of capacity building and skill development so established the Potato Business School Scholarship for applicants interested in furthering their knowledge and skills through attending Emmeloord in The Netherlands.
Apply now for your chance to attend this prestigious potato school. Applications are open until Friday 28 March 2025.
Youth Council – Announced
Potatoes New Zealand has set up a Youth Council to help shape the future of the potato industry.
The Youth Council aims to provide a platform for young people to represent interests of youth, to foster growth, and to encourage leadership within the industry. The Youth Council will also strive to grow and progress the industry.
We are delighted to announce the first Youth Council for Potatoes New Zealand:
- Jamie Wells, Balle Bros
- Amber Davy, Eurogrow Potatoes
- Bridgett James, Potato Seed Co-op
- Catherine James, Fruitfed Supplies
- Harry Maddox, Bailey Farming Company
- Samuel Pye, Pye Produce
*** A massive thank you to the Youth Council Selection Panel for your time and effort in making the tough decision. ***
Potatoes Conference 2025 – Save the Date!
A premier industry event that unites growers, researchers, industry professionals, and enthusiasts from across the sector!
The conference theme focuses on ‘Innovating for the Future’, which will address key industry challenges, showcase innovative technologies, promote best practices and celebrate our successes in the potato industry.
Get ready to dive into a rich abundance of knowledge, innovation, and networking opportunities in the stunning location of Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Together, let’s delve into the exciting possibilities ahead and dig deep into the world of potatoes!
Registrations are opening in March – Save the Date!
The Vegetable Research Roadshow is back for 2025. After a successful inaugural 2024 event, the Vegetable Research Roadshow looks to deliver the latest research results, project updates, and key information to vegetable growers across New Zealand.
Held in various locations around the country. All growers and industry representatives are encouraged to attend.
Seed Potatoes
REMINDER: All sectors have a responsibility, and a duty of care, to recognise that the inherent value of purchasing and planting New Zealand certified seed potatoes underpins a stable and healthy annual production of potatoes.
There is great value of planting certified seed potatoes and for participating organisations under their obligations under the Plant Variety Rights Act.
Reasons why you should plant certified seed potatoes:
- Biosecurity
Certified seed potatoes meet biosecurity requirements. - Disease prevention
Certified seed potatoes are inspected and tested for disease and pests. This helps prevent the spread of diseases. - Variety purity
Certified seed potatoes are inspected to ensure they are the correct variety.
Inaugural Success for Vegetables Big Day Out
More than 200 vegetable growers, agronomists, researchers, government officials and tech suppliers flooded through the gates to participate in the inaugural Vegetables Big Day Out event, held in Pukekohe on 3 and 4 February.
The event was officially opened by Biosecurity and Associate Agriculture Minister, Andrew Hoggard and Ngāti Tamaoho Trust representatives, Roimata Minhinnick and Edith Tuhimata. What followed were two days of infield demonstrations, and classroom presentations and discussions.
For the first ever Vegetables Big Day Out, it was a great success – lots of interactions, lots of sharing, lots of networking and lots of opportunities to discover more about the vegetable sector.
International Growers New Zealand Tour
A group of ten international representatives in the potato industry visited New Zealand for a week-long tour hosted by Potatoes New Zealand. This visit provided a valuable opportunity for engagement with local growers, researchers, and businesses, fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
The delegation, comprising of delegates from the United States, Canada and Australia, explored different aspects of New Zealand’s thriving potato sector. The itinerary included visits to key growing regions, research facilities, and processing plants, offering insights into the latest advancements in horticulture, biosecurity measures, and innovative production techniques.
Dr Paul Horne – New Zealand Visit
Potatoes New Zealand has been hosting Dr Paul Horne on his whirlwind tour of New Zealand, which culminates today. He has been sharing insights on integrated pest management along the way as he meets with various growers and industry representatives.
As a distinguished applied entomologist, Dr Paul Horne is an industry leader in integrated pest management.
MG Charitable Trust 2025 Grower Education Fund
In 2025, the MG Charitable Trust is offering growers the opportunity to apply for subsidies to attend the following courses (covering at least 80% of the course fees):
- 2025 Rabobank Farm Managers Programme
- 2025-2026 Rabobank Executive Development Programme
- 2025 Mayfield Group Governance Development Programmes
The deadline for applications is Thursday 13 March.
Emerging Leaders Programme
The Emerging Leaders Programme is open for registrations.
The programme supports current and emerging leaders with the core skills to better understand and manage themselves and others. It delivers practical techniques to build a positive mindset, create deeper connection with others, and increase performance and accountability.
The course covers five of the top ten areas required to navigate the challenges of the modern working environment. These are:
- Emotional intelligence
- Team functioning and collaborating with others
- Inspiring and motivating others
- Communication skills
- Influencing change and people management.
Registrations close Friday 7 March
Grower Capability Fund
Are you a passionate vegetable grower looking to expand your capabilities or explore new ideas? Te Ahikawariki / Vegetable Industry Centre of Excellence: currently has funding available to vegetable growers to participate in career development focused initiatives.
Application details
- Applicable only to vegetable growers and their employees
- Funding must be for programmes or initiatives that are running within the next 12 months.
- Applications close on Thursday 20 March 2025.
What could you do with the funding?
- Attend international vegetable conferences.
- Attend international vegetable upskilling courses.
- Attend domestic vegetable specific development opportunities where financial need is a barrier.
Horticulture Industry Training Scholarships
Horticulture New Zealand is offering scholarships to New Zealand students who have a special interest in the commercial fruit and vegetable production sector and are undergoing significant industry training or education with a vocational provider.
There are 30 Industry Training Scholarships available this year to the value of $500 for trainees active in the horticulture industry and studying towards a certificate or diploma. Applications are open now and close 11pm, Sunday 30 March.
Safer Farms
Safer Farms is the Kaitiaki (steward) of the sector-wide Farm Without Harm (FWH) strategy and their role is to lead and inspire the agricultural sector to make farms safer places to work and live.
They are in service to the sector to reduce preventable injury and deaths across all corners of rural New Zealand, shifting the dial on those stubbornly high harm statistics.
Farm Strong
Farmstrong is a nationwide wellbeing programme for the rural community. Our aim is to help you live well to farm well. It is an initiative to help farmers, growers and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business.
Events
Primary Industries Summit & Awards
The Primary Industries New Zealand Summit and Awards brings together influential stakeholders and leaders from across of the primary sectors of New Zealand. Delivering strategic insights around future challenges and opportunities and celebrating our most successful and innovative primary industry producers and businesses.
24-25 June 2025
Find out more >>
Horticulture Conference 2025
Save the Date for the 2025 Horticulture Conference and RSE Conference.
Held in Wellington on 26-27 August – Save the date now so you are ready for when tickets open!
More information will be available soon.
View the events calendar
Find out about the horticulture industry events and activities that are currently happening.
NIWA National Weather Outlook
NIWA outlook for rain
NIWA outlook for dryness/drought
NIWA seasonal forecast for next 3 months
