every week Things It asks New Zealand business and community leaders how the economy is doing and what they believe are the biggest challenges.
Nadine Tunili is CEO of Horticulture New Zealand, which supports and represents the needs of the country’s 6,000 commercial fruit and vegetable growers.
Hortenz is holding its annual Creek Creek Conference near Hamilton this week.
Tunley says New Zealand’s biggest challenge is lack of energy.
She said creating a safe bubble with VV-free Pacific countries would eliminate the current labor shortage in fruits and vegetables, putting pressure on some other industries that require more full-time labor for New Zealanders. At the same time, the impact of VV on the impact of tourism on the Pacific economy is understandable.
How do you think the NZ economy is doing right now?
I feel like we are at a crossroads. There are uncertainties and pressures everywhere. This is eroding confidence, and businesses need to be confident in making medium- to long-term decisions and investing in plants and innovation.
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HortNZ CEO Nadine Tunile is concerned about the pace and extent of environmental change.
What is your main concern now?
Lack of energy for fruit and vegetable growers throughout New Zealand, and the pace and rate of change in the region.
The government needs gardening to help New Zealand achieve its economic, social and environmental goals. However, current government perspectives and policy proposals do not support what farmers do best and what they do for generations – grow new, healthy food for New Zealand and the rest of the world.
New Zealanders have a tough choice. If we want to eat fresh, healthy, locally grown produce, we must be prepared to enable farmers to grow our vegetables and fruits.
What did last year teach us about the NZ economy?
The New Zealand economy is resilient and creative. However, productivity and innovation are issues that have plagued New Zealand’s economy for many years. I would like to see productivity and innovation in New Zealand bring a whole new dimension. He sees the government, industry and research providers working together to see the dollar working together, rather than relegating it to the 80s and eliminating unnecessary competition in a small economy like New Zealand.
Are you optimistic about the economy this year or are you not discouraged? why?
If you look at gardening, there is a lot going for it, but there are many uncertain and persistent obstacles to growth and success. From now until now, the government has been promoting general policy changes around the region. When our sector agrees with government objectives, they must slow down and give enough time for consultation to make the changes right. Farmers are professionals – the government must use the skills of farmers to ensure their own success.
What is New Zealand’s biggest challenge?
Labor. Shortages are widespread, and there are some solutions. For example, carefully creating safe bubbles with VV-free Pacific countries will reduce the current labor shortage in gardening, putting pressure on some other industries that require more full-time labor for New Zealanders. At the same time, the impact of VV on the impact of tourism on the Pacific economy is understandable.
The fruit and vegetable industry is investing in New Zealand’s fruit and vegetable attraction programs, but we need regular staff to create permanent staff. We are having some success, but it is a very tight job market.
Our industry is also investing in robotics and automation, but in reality only parts of our industry, such as parks, can be automated and that is happening a lot.
– The Monitor is Stuff’s unique set of insights that will help the business community better understand the economic landscape and increase their success. In addition to the quarterly screenshot, there is an economic indicator that shows the pace of growth in various sectors of the economy.