Horticulture

Dr Pranoy Pal

Regenerative Agriculture in Kiwifruit Orchards – Barriers to the Adoption of These Practices

Regenerative agriculture is a holistic farming approach aiming to regenerate soil health and biodiversity. Pranoy Pal’s Kellogg report asserts that a lack of scientific data, limited support, high initial costs and no commercial incentives remain major hindrances to adoption in the kiwifruit industry.

Olivia Smith

Trading in Turbulent Times: Positioning New Zealand’s Global Food Trade, in a Shifting Global Order

NZ’s food exports depend on strong global partnerships and market trust. This report by Olivia Smith explores how innovation, integrity, and strategic investment, not volume alone, enable lasting competitiveness, helping the sector stay resilient and relevant in volatile global markets.

Matthew Scarf

The Organic Sector With No More GE Free

This report by Matt Scarf investigates how ending NZ’s GE-Free status could affect the organic sector, threatening premiums, trust, and growth, while recommendations include clear government pathways, integration into environmental programmes, and promotion of integrity and innovation.

Zac Howell

Overcoming Barriers to Data Interoperability Within New Zealand’s Wine Industry

NZ wine confronts rising costs and unpredictable markets. This report by Zac Howell reveals how smarter data use, strong governance, and industry trust can unlock interoperability, boost traceability, secure market access, and drive efficiency for sustained growth and global success.

Bryan Gibson

News With Value

As trust in news erodes, NZ’s food and fibre sector still values reliable journalism. This report by Bryan Gibson explores how tailored, ethical, and accessible news can regain credibility, helping farmers make better decisions while sustaining a resilient media landscape.

Jess Ross

Softer Crop Protection, the Way of the Future?

This report explores integrating biopesticides and IPM in NZ horticulture. Barriers include limited knowledge, resistance to change, and outdated regulations. Recommendations highlight education, expert collaboration, and technology use to support adoption and meet export demands sustainably.

Morgan Jones

How do we Develop Financial Literacy in Rural New Zealand?

This report by Morgan Jones tackles the financial literacy gap in rural NZ by exploring tailored, accessible education strategies for farmers, growers, and professionals.

Rachel Baker

Coding for Change: Navigating adoption of gene editing in the New Zealand primary sector

Gene editing can boost NZ’s primary sector by improving sustainability, productivity, and resilience. Success requires balanced regulation, sector leadership, public trust, and coordinated innovation.

Cheyenne Wilson

Creating a Thriving Food and Fibre Sector for Rangatahi in Aotearoa: He Ara Whakatipu

The food and fibre sector, a cornerstone of Aotearoa’s economy, thrives when rangatahi Māori lead. This report outlines barriers, strategies, and a vision for inclusivity.

Sam Connor

Partnerships within the food and fibre sector

This report examines how partnerships in New Zealand's food and fibre sector create value for farmers and growers by focusing on purpose, trust, and communication to deliver social, productivity, and profitability benefits.

Kendal Buchanan

Climate Change in the Waikato – Land use opportunities and threats

This report investigates the impact of climate change on Waikato's agriculture, highlighting risks like increased heat stress and drought for livestock farming, while identifying opportunities for diversifying land use.

James Prunty

The Path to Peat Free

This report explores sustainable alternatives to peat for mushroom farming in New Zealand, focusing on wood fiber blends to reduce reliance while maintaining yield and quality.

Dave Nuku

Kaitiakitanga as a pathway to enduring prosperity

This report aims to show how Māori land trusts in Te Moana a Toi apply Kaitiakitanga principles to achieve sustainable governance and long-term intergenerational well-being.

Lisa Gibbison

In ? We Trust

This report investigates the trusted sources of advice for NZ kiwifruit growers during biosecurity and adverse weather events, with a focus on understanding the drivers of trust within the industry.

Richard Pentreath

Answers Under Foot: Should soil health be our #1 sustainability goal?

This research examines NZ horticulture's views on soil health and explores opportunities to elevate it as a key measure of sustainability.

Whitney Conder

Future Proofing our workforce: Retaining the Skills for tomorrow’s growth

This report seeks to ensure that Central Otago’s horticulture industry remains robust, sustainable, and attractive to both current and future professionals.

Kerry Worsnop

The mountain we need to climb. Designing agricultural policy for a future in farming.

This report primarily addresses those in leadership, and to a lesser extent agricultural policy makers and others with an interest in how we move forward in delivering better outcomes for those on the land and the land itself.