Horticulture Stories

Kiwi Stories

Horticulture stories

Motueka kiwifruit growers boost automation amid labour woes

Labour shortages and export rule changes are pushing Motueka packhouses to automate more tasks as kiwifruit revenue is forecast to reach NZD $4.8 billion.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • This month

Climate change

'Pull the plug': Government reforms could halt new Hawke's Bay water rules

Farmers may dodge tighter water limits as Hawke's Bay councillors weigh shelving the Tank plan amid government reforms.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last month

Agricultural Technology

New Zealand needs to follow suit or risk being outbid and cut out of export sales

New rules in the EU could leave New Zealand growers outbid in export markets unless Parliament loosens gene-editing restrictions soon.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Sat, 4th Jul 2026

Agricultural Technology

Hawke's Bay orchards upgrade packhouses after storms

Storm-hit growers in Hawke's Bay are spending on automation and cool stores to protect exports, cut bottlenecks and lift throughput.

By Mark Tarre • 5 min read • Fri, 26th Jun 2026

Robotics

High tech operation attracts graduates to the packing shed

Automation in New Zealand packhouses is opening up graduate careers and strengthening the horticulture sector's resilience against global shocks.

By Staff Writer • 6 min read • Sat, 16th May 2026

eCommerce

Resurgent year ahead for commercial property

Lower rates and a firmer economy are set to lift leasing, sales and rents across New Zealand commercial property in 2026.

By Staff Writer • 6 min read • Wed, 21st Jan 2026

Software-as-a-Service

How much more will we sacrifice for housing?

Housing targets could erode New Zealand’s food-producing base, as experts warn losing LUC3 land would lock in permanent damage to supply and exports.

By Michael Curreen • 6 min read • Tue, 22nd Jul 2025

Hybrid & Remote Work

Changing market conditions present opportunity

Lower borrowing costs and expiring term deposits could lift demand for commercial and residential property as investors hunt better returns.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Thu, 6th Feb 2025

Agricultural Technology

Providing career qualifications for a specialist industry

A new qualification could ease labour shortages in hydraulics and pneumatics by giving workers a recognised career path in New Zealand.

By Staff Writer • 2 min read • Wed, 6th Nov 2024

Risk & Compliance

Restrictions on the use of weedkiller

Growers face tighter spraying limits after New Zealand regulators imposed red-alert controls on chlorthal-dimethyl to protect public health.

By Staff Writer • 2 min read • Mon, 28th Oct 2024

Risk & Compliance

Restrictions proposed around pesticide use

Workers could face tighter protection from pesticide residues, as WorkSafe consults on new exclusion periods and updated guidance.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Tue, 13th Aug 2024

Risk & Compliance

How AI is making forklifts safer following terrible incident

WorkSafe has backed a half-million-dollar safety overhaul after a kiwifruit worker lost a leg in a forklift incident.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Thu, 18th Jul 2024

Agricultural Technology

Why seasonal workers are at higher risk

A packhouse safety lapse left a teenage seasonal worker needing partial finger amputations, prompting a $225,000 fine for Clyde Orchards.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Tue, 5th Sep 2023

Robotics

Logistics sector 18,000 workers short by 2028

New research warns freight delays and higher consumer prices loom as New Zealand’s logistics worker gap is projected to quadruple by 2028.

By Staff Writer • 5 min read • Wed, 28th Jun 2023

Agricultural Technology

Agritech receives $29.9m injection in recent budget

The recent Government Wellbeing Budget provides much needed support that will drive higher paying jobs and new export revenues in the horticulture sector.

By Shannon Williams • 3 min read • Fri, 26th May 2023