Spring is in full swing, and potato paddocks across the country are coming to life. For many of you, October marks one of the busiest times of year — planting, nurturing crops, and setting the foundation for a successful season ahead.
In this newsletter, we’ll share updates, insights, and resources to support you through this critical stage of the growing cycle.
Possibility for Future Canterbury Regional Biosecurity Collaboration
The University of Canterbury and Ministry for Primary Industries are exploring a new regional biosecurity collaboration for Canterbury, following the success of initiatives in Tauranga and Taranaki.
Potatoes New Zealand’s Tristan Hickman attended a leaders’ breakfast hosted by the University, where speakers made a strong case for forming a regional biosecurity organisation to provide a valuable local lens and wider network.
With strong regional and national backing, this initiative is still in its early stages, but it offers an opportunity to ensure the potato industry is well represented as biosecurity is strengthened in Canterbury.
Bacterial Survey 2025-26
After discussions with both the Seed Authority and the Biosecurity and Regulatory Committee, industry stakeholders have made it clear that there is an interest in getting a better understanding of what bacterial diseases are present in potato crops.
Genus Erwinia was split into three genera, including Pectobactrium, Dickeya, and Brenneria (mainly affecting woody plants). Despite this, instances of blackleg in New Zealand have been generally interpreted as Erwinia Carotovora (now Pectobacterium carotovorum).
We want to know if this is accurate or if the species Dickeya solani is also present here. Dickeya solani has become a widespread problem for many other countries’ potato industries – it would be valuable to know if it is present here as this is critical information for developing effective pest management and industry communication.
We propose to undertake a targeted survey whereby seed potato crop inspectors, agronomists and growers would collect plant samples showing blackleg-like symptoms from crops (seed and commercial) as they carry out their in-field duties over the coming season.
Media Watch
Potatoes have been receiving strong media attention recently. This coverage is helping to keep potatoes front of mind with consumers, positioning them as a staple at the heart of the meal. Through proactive engagement with media and consistent messaging, we’re making sure potatoes remain visible, relevant, and represented, reinforcing their place in both everyday meals and the wider conversation.
- Seven Sharp – Kate Trufitt Interview
- NZ Herald – International Fry Day with Dacey Balle: It’s international Fry-Day celebrating the mighty French fry – NZ Herald
- Rural Exchange: https://omny.fm/shows/rural-exchange/kate-trufitt-the-potato-perception-problem
- Farmers Weekly – Potential Veg Merger article: www.farmersweekly.co.nz/news/veg-industry-mulls-merger-of-sector-bodies/
- 1News – Potato Ice Cream coming to Dunedin – Story on TV One.: www.1news.co.nz/2025/08/24/potato-ice-cream-coming-to-dunedin-parlour/
- Midday Rural News Report: www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ruralnews/audio/2019003331/midday-rural-news-for-8-september-2025
- The Press: www.thepress.co.nz/business/360790028/humble-potato-get-pr-makeover
- The Press – Canterbury Award Winners in the Potato Industry Awards: www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360791545/strong-south-canterbury-showing-potato-industry-awards
- Farmers Weekly – Potato Industry Awards: www.farmersweekly.co.nz/people/potato-industry-honours-its-finest/
- Plus several short pieces about the Potato Industry Award winners in local newspapers.
Vegetable Industry Showcase
More than 100 attended the inaugural Vegetable Industry Showcase at the Grand Hall at Parliament in Wellington on Tuesday 9 September.
MPs from all sides of the House attended to support the New Zealand vegetable industry. Associate Agriculture Minister Nicola Grigg outlined the Government’s support for vegetable growers.
Vegetables NZ Chair, John Murphy talked about the need for vegetable growing to become a permitted activity within the Government’s new resource management legislation, if the vegetable industry is to thrive again.
To round out the showcase, a video was played highlighting the passion of those that grow, as well as the challenges that all growers face.
WEBINAR – Safer Farms
Register Now to join Safer Farms’ Rachael Russell and Natalie Bowie for a session about who Safer Farms are and what they do.
Wednesday 29 October
11am to 11.30am
In this webinar you will discover how Safer Farms collaborates with farmers, growers, and industry to create safer, healthier workplaces.
Explore easy-to-use tools and resources that are all in one place so that health and safety becomes a natural and easy part of keeping you and your staff safe on farm.
Let’s all work together to create safer farms!
There will be a presentation followed by any questions and answers.
This webinar is a Potatoes New Zealand and Safer Farms joint initiative, and everyone is welcome to attend.
New Facebook Page
Potatoes New Zealand has a new Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/PotatoesNewZealand
The page has been set up to make sure we can connect with you more effectively and provide the best updates from the New Zealand potato industry.
Please follow Potatoes New Zealand here: www.facebook.com/PotatoesNewZealand
Young Grower of the Year 2025
Held on 10–11 September in Christchurch, the highly anticipated Young Grower of the Year National Final celebrated the passion, innovation, and talent driving the future of New Zealand horticulture.
Congratulations to Phoebe Scherer – 2025 Young Grower of the Year!
Well done to Steven Rink (2nd place)
And to Aimee Barker-Gilbert (3rd place)
A huge shoutout to all entrants – your dedication and skill are shaping a bright future for the industry!
Potatoes New Zealand Bursary Announcement
Potatoes New Zealand is pleased to announce that Christal Kyuka from the University of Canterbury has been selected as the 2025 Potatoes New Zealand Bursary recipient.
Christal, currently pursuing advanced research in plant biotechnology, brings exceptional academic dedication and a passion for innovation in agriculture.
We congratulate Christal on this achievement and look forward to seeing her contributions to the potato industry and broader agricultural science.
Father’s Day Promotion – Winners Announced
Potatoes New Zealand along with PepsiCo celebrated and acknowledged Father’s Day on Sunday, 7 September!
Partnering with PEPSICO to celebrate the amazing fathers in our lives, we honoured the incredible fathers in our community by offering a chance to win one of five awesome prize packs to make their Father’s Day unforgettable.
And the Winners are:
- Lew Walkinshaw, Cromwell
- Warren Beck, Rotoorangi
- Patrick Gerald, Christchurch
- Ian Hester, Wellington
- Naran Makan, Pukekohe
Website Spotlight – Recipes
Potatoes New Zealand has a new Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/PotatoesNewZealand
The page has been set up to make sure we can connect with you more effectively and provide the best updates from the New Zealand potato industry.
Horticulture – Farm without harm
Losing time and productivity due to an injury can be frustrating, especially during busy times such as pruning and harvesting. There are so many risks to both horticulture staff and those coming on to the property, we need to consider what safety approaches to take so everyone goes home safe at the end of each day.
Here is what New Zealand’s horticulture farms need to focus on and talk about to farm, without harm.
FarmStrong – Support Modules
FarmStrong has developed FREE online modules helping rural New Zealanders cope with the ups and downs of farming.
The support modules share practical tools to boost your wellbeing, perform at your best and reduce your risk of accident and injury.
Cyber Security Week
This year Cyber Smart Week is held on 6 to 12 October 2025 and is an annual occurrence that focuses on raising the importance of cyber security and encouraging everyday New Zealanders and organisations to be more secure and resilient online
This Cyber Smart Week 2025, there are a series of webinars running on the ‘Own Your Online’ website that can help you understand more about how to protect yourself, and your business online.
Mental Health Awareness Week
The theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 is Top Up Together, encouraging you to connect with others as you bring the Five Ways to Wellbeing into your daily life. A shared, community-based approach to wellbeing delivers the most sustained, long-term benefits.
Social connection is crucial for our wellbeing. It brings purpose and a sense of belonging to our lives, helps us feel valued, and makes us happier and more secure.
Look after your oranga (wellbeing) by topping up together with the Five Ways to Wellbeing this Mental Health Awareness Week.
- Me ako tonu / Keep Learning.
- Me aro tonu/ Take Notice.
- Tukua / Give.
- Me kori tonu / Be Active.
- Me whakawhanaunga / Connect.
Events
Exclusive, limited-capacity event brings together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers and investors to shine a light on the innovation driving the future of agritech in Canterbury and beyond.
- Gain expert insights
- Create valuable connections
- Explore regional perspectives
- Contribute to the conversation
With limited spots available, this event is designed for meaningful discussions and impactful connections.
REGISTER NOW >>
Cyclone Gabrielle Research Symposium
The symposium is intended to bring together those involved in Cyclone Gabrielle’s impacts on highly productive land. Findings and observations will be discussed, and together we can prepare lessons learnt for future events.
19-20 November
Havelock North Function Centre
Find out more >>
Save the Date: ARIA – Arable Research in Action
ARIA: Arable Research in Action presented by FAR – Foundation for Arable Research.
More info to come.…
Wednesday 26 November
Save the Date >>
Vegetables Big Day Out is Back for 2026!
This one-day event explores cutting-edge research, on-farm technology, and practical solutions shaping the future of vegetable growing in Aotearoa.
Thursday 5 March 2026
49 Cronin Road, Pukekohe
REGISTER NOW >>
View the events calendar
Find out about the horticulture industry events and activities that are currently happening.
National Weather Outlook
WeatherWatch.co.nz Head Forecaster Philip Duncan brings you the latest NZ forecast weekdays, and now weekday Australian-only videos too.
WeatherWatch.co.nz is a privately owned – 100% NZ owned – company and partner of The Weather Company.
NIWA National Weather Outlook
NIWA outlook for rain
NIWA outlook for dryness/drought
NIWA seasonal forecast for next 3 months
