NZFGA has developed a three year cycle for conferences – two years in the North Island and one in the South Island, 2017 is due to be in the South Island.

It said that the concept fits very well with the Peony Society and initial agreement has been reached between NZ Flower Growers Association and the Peony Society to investigate a three day conference in Christchurch, probably early August. It is anticipated that the conference will run from Friday to Sunday with Friday being the NZFGA conference, Saturday being a combined day and Sunday being the Peony Society conference.

HortNZ was also approached [its 2017 conferences are in the NI] as was NZ Export Growers Organisation [NZEGO]. A difficulty with the cymbidium growers [NZEGO] is the clash of busy seasons, theirs being mid winter whereas midsummer is the busy season for most flower growers. The NZ Flower Growers will support cymbidium growers whenever they can and information about their ‘Orchid & Flower Show’ 22-25 September at the ASB Showground Greenlane Auckland, was sent out to all growers on the Floribase data base.

Hydrangea growers were also approached and this put us in touch with the latest developments amongst another flower group. At the last AGM of the ‘NZ Protea and Foliage Growers Association’, a name change was adopted;  they are now the ‘Outdoor Foliage & Flower Growers Association’ [OFFGA].  All Hydrangea growers have been invited to join the OFFGA and most have.

The OFFGA have considered joining with the NZFGA for the 2017 conference but very few of its growers are in the South Island. However, NZFGA says it is looking forward to the possibility of planning a joint conference with the ‘Outdoor Foliage & Flower Growers Association’ in 2018.

Those wishing to know more about the OFFGA, contact Darryl Riddington, the current President, via e-mail.