The industry body said it provided perspective from a global and dynamic industry that is in significant growth mode and an integral part of local communities and economies across New Zealand.

The submission focus is on employer demand and how to achieve better uptake/engagement with industry and a greater focus on horticulture business needs.

HortNZ senior business manager, Sue Pickering, said the submissions outlines that this industry needs:

• More flexible, innovative and agile models;
• More connection with real world need;
• Consolidated leadership in this area rather than silos;
• More collaboration and less competition and duplication.

Last week, Pickering represented the industry at a Business NZ Roundtable discussion with Productivity Commission reps Murray Sherwin (chair), Judy Kavenagh (the Inquiry Director) and three of their policy associates. She said that thhe themes from other industries coming through were very similar to HortNZ.

The Commission is now into working through the submissions and will release its draft report in September.