As part of its Field Days pre-election farm vote cultivation, the Government just announced $59 million in projects intended to boost agricultural growth.

“Together, these projects matter because they will demonstrate, on real farms and orchards, what is possible when innovation, capital and ambition come together,” Prime Minister Luxon said.

The projects involve beef and sheep production, dairy output, kiwifruit, salmon and timber … at least three of those sectors already enjoying exceptional returns pre-subsidy.

Meantime, the Government has granted a paltry $50,000 for an investigation into the veggie processing debacle facing Hawke’s Bay with the McCain and Wattie’s announcements. The original scope of the feasibility study identified by growers as necessary to support informed investment decisions was estimated to cost approximately $450,000.

CHB Mayor Will Foley says there may be a range of pathways that could help retain vegetable processing capability in Hawke’s Bay. These could include growers renting space within future operations, purchasing equipment, acquiring parts of the business, or ultimately buying and operating processing facilities themselves. “What matters is that every reasonable opportunity is explored before this capability is permanently lost.”

Moreover, this is an inquiry with import far beyond Hawke’s Bay.

Mayor Schollum commented that if, after every reasonable opportunity has been explored, a viable pathway cannot be found, then New Zealand deserves a clear explanation as to why one of the country’s most productive food-growing regions can no longer process its own vegetables.

“If this cannot work here, then we need to understand why – because the implications for New Zealand’s food security and productive capacity extend far beyond Hawke’s Bay.”

Meanwhile, MPI’s latest otherwise rosy report on NZ’s agricultural potential paints this worrisome picture regarding veggies:

“Vegetable export revenue is expected to ease 3 percent to $710 million in the year to 30 June 2026, with a further decline in 2027 before recovery. A return to growth depends on input costs easing and processing capacity being restored.” [BayBuzz Editor’s italics]

Apparently the Government is unable or unwilling to connect the dots here.