As we move into November, there’s plenty happening across the potato industry. With planting underway or nearly finished in many regions, growers are focused on setting the season up for success, while our team at Potatoes New Zealand continues to work on research, advocacy, and activities to support the industry.
Quick Links
Learning, Connecting, Growing: Netherlands Reflections
In September 2025, Potatoes New Zealand’s Paula Lleras travelled to the Netherlands to attend Potato Europe, visit Wageningen University and Research, as well as take part in the Potato Business School in Emmeloord. It was an inspiring trip full of fresh ideas, valuable connections, and practical lessons that she believes can benefit New Zealand potato growers.
Read more >>
Website Spotlight – Degree Day Monitoring
The new season’s Tomato Potato Psyllid (TPP) Growing Degree Day graphs are available:
New Insecticide to Protect New Zealand Potatoes
A new insecticide, CAPRA (indoxacarb), has been approved for use on New Zealand potato crops, offering growers an effective new defence against the destructive potato tuber moth. This registration marks an important step in protecting yields and crop quality across the country.
Yellow-legged hornets, including Queen, found in New Zealand
Biosecurity New Zealand is urging Aucklanders to watch for yellow-legged hornets (Vespa velutina) after five detections since June 2025. On 17 October, a queen hornet was confirmed nesting in Glenfield, with two nests destroyed promptly by officers. Undetected nests may remain.
These hornets are a biosecurity concern as they prey on bees and other insects, threatening honeybee and wild bee populations. While potatoes don’t rely on bees for production, many crop rotations do.
How you can help:
Report any suspected hornets or nests:
- Hotline: 0800 809 966 (only if you have a specimen, photo, or found a nest).
- Online: report.mpi.govt.nz
Current situation with PMTV (Pomovirus solani) in Tasmania
Australia’s national Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP) has advised that PMTV is not technically feasible to eradicate from Australia. This means they will move to a long-term management strategy for this disease, much as we have here in New Zealand.
It is important to note the finding that early traceback activities indicate that the virus may have been present in Tasmania for at least two years. This serves as a reminder of how vigilant we all need to be in keeping an eye out for anything unusual and maintaining a willingness to contact Biosecurity New Zealand to confirm possible sightings of sector-risk organisms. The sooner incursions are discovered, the better the chance of eradication.
A list of sector-risk organisms which threaten the potato industry can be found on the Potatoes New Zealand website.
Cyber Security Week
Potatoes New Zealand recently celebrated Cyber Smart Week and here are links to the webinars held during the week:
- Cyber Security Week webinar >>
- Online Security basics for individuals webinar >>
- Cyber Security for IT Professionals webinar >>
- Small business webinar >>
- Health and Education webinar >>
The National Cyber Security Centre would love any feedback on the webinars, or future topics you would like to have covered. Please send feedback to cybersmart@ncsc.govt.nz
Webinar: Safer Farms
Watch the video recording from the Safer Farms Webinar, introducing Safer Farms, who they are, what they do and how they help the industry.
As well as how we can work together for a healthier and safer industry:
Safer Farms Update for Potato Growers
Safer Farm’s leadership of the sector owned Farm Without Harm strategy has gained momentum with a new five-year partnership with ACC, enabling more grassroots safety initiatives that will start to have real impact on the wider sector’s shocking injury and fatality statistics.
Safer Farms is keen to connect with potato growers—if you have safety resources to contribute, please get in contact with them.
Check out the Safer Farms website for key links, sign up for their newsletter and safety alerts, and access downloadable materials perfect for staff inductions and toolbox talks.
Here are some links to topics that were discussed in the webinar:
- Farm Safety Alerts | Real Incidents, Safer Farms
- Join Farm Without Harm | Be Part of Safer Farms
- Farm Safety Resources Hub | Safer Farms
- Keeping People Safe | Farm Without Harm
Join the Farmer and Grower Reference Group for Safer Farms
Are you interested in having a say in the development of harm prevention initiatives in the farming sector? Safer Farms still have some spaces left for growers wanting to get involved in the Farmer and Grower Reference Group, especially from the horticulture and arable sector. If you’re interested, please click the button to register.
Potatoes New Zealand Bursary
Potatoes New Zealand recognises the importance of capacity building, skill development and increasing knowledge about potatoes is important and this is why the Potatoes New Zealand Bursary is open and available for applicants.
There is currently one bursary open to applicants whose studies related to and are relevant for the potato industry. Applicants must be studying in New Zealand and must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident. Applications close on Friday 28 November.
Come and say hello as well as support Mr and Mrs. Potato Head with NZ Foam and Potatoes New Zealand. Potatoes New Zealand has some great giveaways thanks to Eurogrow Potatoes, Heartland Potato Chips and Oakley’s Premium Fresh Vegetables.
The Royal A&P Show of New Zealand is the largest A&P event in the country, uniting rural excellence, innovation, and community celebration held on 13-15 November in Christchurch. This iconic Canterbury Show showcases the very best of New Zealand’s farming heritage alongside cutting-edge ideas, products, and experiences – the Show offers something for everyone.
Look for this stand to come and say ‘Hi’:
Horticulture Canterbury Growers Society Pre-Christmas Function
All growers (including young growers) are welcome – this is a great opportunity to meet the Canterbury growers committee and this year’s Young Grower regional contestants. Young growers are encouraged to come along and find out about the 2026 Young Grower competition.
Wednesday, 19 November
6.30pm-9pm
Dunsandel Cafe and Bar
Cyclone Gabrielle Research Symposium
10am Wednesday 19 November to 3pm Thursday 20 November
Havelock North Function Centre
The symposium is intended to bring together those involved in reacting to Cyclone Gabrielle’s impacts on highly productive land to present and discuss findings and observations and together, draw out lessons to aid land managers and policy makers in future events.
- What seemed to work and what didn’t?
- What was not studied and should have been?
- What resources can be prepared that others can easily access and use to guide decisions immediately after such events, and in the months and years to follow?
Horticulture Undergraduate Graduate Scholarships
Every year Horticulture New Zealand and the Horticentre Trust offer scholarships to students who have a special interest in the fruit and/or vegetable industry and are studying towards an undergraduate degree.
Sixteen Horticulture Undergraduate Scholarships are available for study in 2026.
Farm without harm – Safety Alerts
Sign up for the ‘Farm without harm’ Safety Alerts.
Go to the home page scroll to the bottom of the page and on the left hand side you will be able to enter your details to receive their newsletter and safety alerts.
FarmStrong – Healthy Thinking and Mindsets
Healthy thinking helps you better manage the day to day ups and downs of farming. Staying in the right headspace means you make good decisions, maintain positive relationships and cope well when the weather or market throws you a curve ball.
Learning to cope when you have had a knock back builds resilience. It is a skill that anyone can learn and improve.
Resilient farmers draw on a network of people for help and advice. They also think in healthy ways, creatively solve problems and challenge their own view.
Events
Soil Wealth ICP webinar: AI unpacked – Practical tools for vegetable growers
Join an interactive webinar to share lessons from vegetable growers who are already using AI tools to improve planning, monitoring and decision-making on-farm.
Thursday 6 November
2pm – 3pm
Register now >>
ARIA – Arable Research in Action
ARIA: Arable Research in Action presented by FAR – Foundation for Arable Research.
Wednesday 26 November
More information >>
Vegetables Big Day Out is Back for 2026!
Explore cutting-edge research, on-farm technology, and practical solutions shaping the future of vegetable growing.
Thursday 5 March 2026
49 Cronin Road, Pukekohe
Register now >>
Hort Connections 2026
Monday 1 June to Thursday 4 June 2026
Adelaide Convention Centre
Speakers and exhibitors showcasing the latest research, technologies, and innovations.
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.
View the events calendar
Find out about the horticulture industry events and activities that are currently happening.
National Weather Outlook
Weather Watch
Weather Watch brings you the latest New Zealand forecasts weekdays.
NIWA outlook for rain
NIWA outlook for dryness/drought
NIWA seasonal forecast for next 3 months
