The New Zealand Vegetable Council has welcomed the passing of the Natural Environment and Planning Bills, saying the new legislation recognises and prioritises food production in New Zealand.
NZVeg CEO Mike Brown said vegetable growers had spent more than a decade dealing with inconsistent application of resource management legislation, particularly in the key growing areas of Pukekohe, Horowhenua, and Canterbury.
“We’re exceptionally pleased that the new legislation, to be specific, the Natural Environment Act, recognises the importance of and prioritises the growing of food in New Zealand,” said Brown.
“For more than a decade, vegetable growers have struggled with the inconsistent application of resource management legislation, particularly across the key growing areas of Pukekohe, the Horowhenua and Canterbury.
“Millions of dollars have been wasted in hearings, tribunals and courts, to say nothing of the missed opportunities resulting from all the uncertainty.”
Brown said around half of the country’s vegetable growers were currently uncertain whether they would still be in business in 10 years’ time. The industry is worth $1.1 billion a year in farmgate returns.
He said the Natural Environment Act should provide the basis for a national and consistent approach to vegetable production.
“The new Act sets the scene and gets the basics right by prioritising the production of food and fibre. This should ensure a national approach to vegetable growing, which is what NZVeg and other vegetable sector groups have been advocating for, for more than a decade,” said Brown.
“A national approach is important to ensuring New Zealand can produce fresh, healthy vegetables, at reasonable prices, now and in the future.”
Brown pointed to Statistics New Zealand data showing fruit and vegetable prices fell by 1.6 percent between August 2025 and August 2026, despite increases in inputs including fuel and electricity.
He attributed the comparatively low vegetable prices to good growing conditions over the past year and plentiful supply, while warning that those conditions could change.
“A major weather event like a cyclone or flood in one of the country’s key vegetable growing areas could see supply severely affected, which would create shortages and raise prices,” said Brown.
“That’s why being able to grow vegetables across New Zealand is very important to ensuring consistent supply and value for money prices for consumers.”
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