Horticulture
Dealing with a crunch - the fruit industry's labour shortage
Despite 2000 more seasonal workers due to arrive in New Zealand from January 2021, things aren't looking too rosy according some growers in the Hawkes Bay region. Produced by Kadambari Raghukumar. Audio
The 90s File - Sam Tietjen
Sam Tietjen trained in mechanical engineering but has come back to the family orchard and is now overseeing the planting of 2000 avocado trees. Audio
Protection from PSA
Plant and Food Research has developed an environmentally-friendly spray to help fend off the kiwifruit vine killing disease PSA. Audio
New Zealand's horticulture labour shortage won't have RSE help
At a meeting with local growers in Hastings this afternoon, the Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi was adamant the Government won't let in workers from overseas to help with a horticulture labour… Audio
Government nixes calls for fruit pickers to be let into NZ, for now
The Minister of Immigration is adamant the government will not let oveseas workers cut corners through border controls to fix a horticulture labour shortage.
The seemingly unsolvable fruit picking shortage
It's the annual story - orchardists can't get fruit pickers at harvest time. Now with no immigrant workers the situation is even more dire. But there's a reason unemployed New Zealanders won't take up… Audio
Hort Hub for Katikati
Construction of a new 'centre of excellence' for horticulture is expected to begin in Katikati early next year. The education hub will be based at Katikati College and will bring together training… Audio
Building up potential of bumblebees
Plant and Food Research would like to empower the development of a much larger bumblebee industry in New Zealand. It has developed the technology to successfully breed bumblebees, now it wants… Audio
Boosting crops using UV light: Jason Wargent
Plant biologist Professor Jason Wargent studies how plants respond to UV light. From strawberries to medical marijuana, his research is showing that exposing seeds or seedlings to artificial UV rays… Audio
Will Auckland's water woes affect Waikato food producers
Waikato farmers and horticulturalists fear Auckland's water shortage will ultimately divert resources away from their operations and affect food supplies. The Government has fast-tracked Watercare… Audio
Easing horticulture labour shortages with robots
The widespread shortage of horticultural labour throughout the regions could be eased in future by fruit picking robots and automonous vehicles to spray crops. Audio
How gardening creates a time warp
Gardening is more than a relaxing hobby. It's good for your health, whatever age you are. Dr Harriet Gross is a psychology professor at Lincoln University in the United Kingdom. She explains why… Audio
Chinese demand drives Otago cherry planting
Wanaka couple Sharon and Ross Kirk are going for the cherry on the top of the cake as far as New Zealand's production is concerned. They're hoping to equal the country's entire cherry output in a… Audio, Gallery
Expert sees apple varieties blossom and fade over time
John Wilton starts each day with an apple. And he knows which ones to choose. John's been a horticultural consultant for 57 years and was MAF's national pipfruit and summer fruit specialist for 15… Audio
Off Like a Rockit
New Zealand's tiny Rockit apples are proving a real hit with both consumers and growers. They're returning more than any other apple variety and demand is sky-rocketing in Asia. Audio, Gallery
Do It Yourself: Growing champion super hot chillies
In our Do It Yourself segment we're talking about how to grow your own chillies... The League of Fire is the first ever league table dedicated to Chilli Eating Contests and 32 year old Justin Rummell… Audio
Preparing for the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Professor Max Suckling has been to Italy to see the devastation in crops caused by the brown marmorated stink bug. He's been looking at ways of trapping the bug and other controls that could help… Audio
Rural Innovation Lab - Solutions to Farming's Big Challenges
Manawatu's Rural Innovation Lab will soon select and inject funding into three projects that could transform the primary sector. Audio
Connecting Seasonal Workers with Growers
PICMI is the brainchild of Tasman entrepreneur Genevieve Griffin-George. The cloud-based software is designed to simplify the employment process for agricultural seasonal staff. The 28-year-old came… Audio
Seeds of Success
The New Zealand kiwifruit industry started in 1904 when a woman brought in a handful of seeds after visiting her brother, a missionary, in China. Now the industry is worth $2.3 billion. Elaine… Audio