Hawke’s Bay Mayors have taken the region’s food sector concerns directly to Wellington, seeking Government support for an independent, grower-led feasibility study following the recent processing plant closure announcements affecting the region.

While in Wellington this week for scheduled meetings, Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor Will Foley and Hastings Mayor Wendy Schollum met with Government Ministers, Opposition MPs from across Parliament, and members of the Primary Production Select Committee to discuss the future of vegetable processing in Hawke’s Bay.

The Mayors said discussions focused on the strong desire to explore options to retain large-scale vegetable processing capability in the region, with an independent feasibility study seen as an important next step in assessing potential pathways forward - including grower cooperative options, potentially at the existing McCain Foods processing site.

“We are seeking Government support to help growers undertake the independent analysis needed to properly assess whether there is a viable long-term pathway forward for the sector,” Hastings Mayor Wendy Schollum said.

The proposed study, requested by growers, would assess the commercial viability of future processing models, including infrastructure requirements, market opportunities, energy and water considerations, logistics, workforce needs and overall commercial sustainability.

Mayor Will Foley said it was important growers had access to credible, independent information before major decisions are made.

“This work needs to remain grower-led and commercially grounded, but there is a strong case for Government support given the wider regional and national implications,” he said.

Mayor Schollum said the meetings highlighted broad recognition of the significance of the issue beyond Hawke’s Bay.

“These closures are not just a Hawke’s Bay issue - they raise important questions about New Zealand’s future food production capability, regional manufacturing resilience and economic security,” she said.

The Mayors said discussions also reinforced broader challenges facing regional food production and manufacturing, including energy affordability, water security, infrastructure pressures and compliance costs.

They also welcomed the upcoming Primary Production Select Committee briefing into the closures and confirmed they have requested the opportunity to present alongside growers.

“It is important that Hawke’s Bay growers, workers and communities are heard directly as these discussions continue,” Mayor Foley said.

Notes:

During the Wellington visit, the Mayors met with representatives from National, Labour, New Zealand First and the Green Party, alongside members of the Primary Production Select Committee.

Meetings included:

• Hon Mark Patterson, Minister for Rural Communities and Associate Minister of Agriculture
• Hon Todd McClay, Minister of Agriculture and Minister for Trade and Investment
• Mike Butterick, MP for Wairarapa and Associate Minister of Agriculture
• Hon Shane Jones, Minister for Regional Development and Minister for Resources
• Rt Hon Chris Hipkins, Leader of the Opposition
• Cushla Tangaere-Manuel, Labour MP for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti
• Hon Ginny Andersen, Labour MP
• Hon Jan Tinetti, Labour MP
• Chlöe Swarbrick, Co-Leader of the Green Party
• Steve Abel, Green MP
• Members of the Primary Production Select Committee, including MP Miles Anderson and MP Suze Redmayne.

The Mayors also requested the opportunity to present alongside growers at the upcoming Primary Production Select Committee briefing into the plant closures and their wider implications.

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