Listen: The highs and lows of New Zealand horticulture

Chief executive of Horticulture New Zealand, Mike Chapman. Photo / John Borren

If the horticulture industry in New Zealand is to move forward it should embrace new products - including medicinal cannabis and hemp.

The chief executive of Horticulture New Zealand, Mike Chapman spoke to The Country's Jamie Mackay, saying "innovation is the only way we're going to succeed."

"We support any legally grown fruit and vegetables ... and if things like medicinal cannabis and hemp were permitted ... we could take the $6b we're worth now and double it."

Another innovative product on the market that could prove lucrative for the horticulture industry is alternative proteins, although regulating this may be difficult, in what has become a "tough business," says Chapman.

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"I don't think urban New Zealand realises how complicated growing has become as a business," says Chapman who believes that although the increased imposed standards are good for sustainability and high quality products, "sometimes you've just got to wonder about the bureaucracy."

Another issue facing the industry is urban New Zealand's disconnection from growers. Chapman says some aren't sure what seasonal vegetables are and he is keen for the horticulture industry to educate people around what to eat and when to eat it.

Perhaps the biggest challenge to the horticulture industry is the lack of land due to urban sprawl, although Chapman says the current Government has "responded well" to concerns.

"That is a real challenge to us, keeping and protecting our elite soils so we can actually feed New Zealand."

Despite these problems, the horticulture industry is doing well and Chapman says growers were in a "buoyant mood" at recent conferences in Christchurch and Auckland.