Field Days was also an opportunity to brief attendees on the revised strategy of HGANZ, and Pete Barrowclough gave a short presentation before dinner on the Saturday evening.  In November the Committee met in person to review our strategy.  Previously, the Association had identified five key focus areas, and it was assumed that they all had equal merit and emphasis:

Five Key Focus Areas:

  1. Increase local production
  2. Increase profitability of growers
  3. Education of growers and support for research to improve the industry
  4. Increase public knowledge of NZ grown hazelnuts
  5. Ensure the industry is sustainable and diverse

However, given the recent drop in demand your committee discussed whether we should change our priorities.

There is a clear need to increase the demand for fresh NZ-grown hazelnuts. By promoting the health and taste benefits of NZ grown fresh hazelnuts, we increase the demand for our product and profitability to growers.  An increase in demand encourages growers to focus on increasing yield (by changing their pruning/irrigation/suckering/fertiliser regimes) and investing in equipment.    This will also encourage sharing of methods and education of growers, to harvest, dry and store hazelnuts ensuring a consistent high quality fresh hazelnut (and fulfilling NZ Food Regulation standards).  In a nutshell, promoting NZ-grown hazelnuts to increase demand also drives improvements in the other Key Focus Areas.

Ivan Lawrie from FAR (Foundation for Arable Research) was the driver behind the NZ Grown Grains (see photo) certification scheme which was publicly launched in November 2025.  He presented to the Committee about the reasons behind the development of the NZ label, what was involved in the project, and what he learned along the way. 

Logo and link to article: https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/news/new-logo-to-aid-in-rise-of-nz-grown-wheat/

The change to focus on promoting NZ-grown hazelnuts and the development of a NZ Grown Nuts logo and campaign will be discussed at the AGM meeting.  Meanwhile, the Committee is working on the steps and stages required for a NZ Grown Nuts scheme, and whether to bring the walnut and macadamia growers along with us.