HortNZ defends its recovery effort

Horticulture New Zealand has responded strongly to comments from the Agriculture Minister that it had not provided the information around the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle on the industry in Tairāwhiti, Hawke’s Bay and in Northland. File picture

HortNZ has been heavily involved in providing the Government with numerous reports on Cyclone Gabrielle’s impact.

The organisation started working with the Government immediately after the cyclone struck.

“We strongly advocated for the Government’s initial relief package,’ said HortNZ President Barry O’Neil.

“The Government has access to all the data we have collected and has done so for several weeks now.

“The Agriculture Minister has repeatedly said he is waiting for reports. We can only assume those are Government reports, and not reports and plans from the horticulture sector.”

Mr O’Neil said HortNZ has provided raw data to MPI, which was reflected in the Treasury Report on the impact, worked with the Boston Consulting Group and the Hawke’s Bay Grower Taskforce on their respective reports and provided input into the Trust Tairāwhiti report.

In addition the HortNZ president and board have met with many growers to understand their needs, and have reflected these back to Ministers and senior officials.

The HortNZ chief executive and other senior HortNZ staff have attended numerous meetings with Ministers and MPI officials.

“Daily meetings took place with officials at the start and these meetings continue several times a week,” Mr O’Neil said.

“Phone calls take place several times a day. The HortNZ chief executive and other senior HortNZ staff have  also attended numerous taskforce type meetings with the various groups set up in Hawke’s Bay, Tairāwhiti and Northland to respond to Government requests for information and outline what is needed for the recovery.

“For the Agriculture Minister to say HortNZ has not provided the Government with answers and information was disingenuous.”