April 09
IN THIS ISSUE Conference 2009 the Recession:
Conference 2009 How to GRow tHRouGH a ReCession
tHe oppoRtunities aHead it is Boom not doom
Plastics Recycling update
WHaT: NGIA Annual Conference 2009
WHEN: 29 & 30 July
for Gardening
The Recession it is Boom NOT
Doom for Gardening WHErE: Kingsgate Hotel, Despite the fact that gardening related businesses on the
Palmerston North whole are doing well, there remains a nervous conservative
Plastics recycling update approach to advertising, promotion, and investment in
By now, you are aware that the educating and wooing the now-keenly-interested consumer.
annual conference has been moved
Ellerslie 2009 Categorically, there has not been as good an opportunity for
from Queenstown to Palmerston
North. This Board decision Gardening to woo the public since the eighties. Why?
International Garden Centre
followed a survey of members that When things tighten up, travel goes, cafes go, shopping goes
Congress 2009
indicated in the current economic for unnecessary items. Consumers find themselves at home
environment, a move to the ‘better looking for ways to save costs, grow their own food (we’ve
Westpac Membership Services
value’ Palmerston North would be seen that already) and while they are in the Garden Centres
Success for NGIA members prudent. getting their vegetable seeds and seedlings, potting mix,
at Ellerslie fruit trees and so forth, they are exposed to the driver for
The conference has been reduced to two days and the dates
purchase of things pretty and flowering, called IMPULSE. Wise
differ slightly from that notified in the last newsletter – now
Waikato District NGIA July 29 and 30. growers and retailers alike will vamp up the wow factor, hand
out screeds of Go Gardening Magazines to the voraciously
Work and Income John Stanley will be the Keynote Speaker. With a background in keen new and learner gardeners, and promote their edibles,
support packages garden centre management, John has been helping businesses flowering plants and associated products to a willing
worldwide adapt to changing economic and political situations. customer base. Sound like blind optimism? The winners in this
Welcome to new members His winning ideas are reflected in the huge success achieved period will be those who understand that recession ravaged
by his many diverse clients, and he is one of the most sought consumers will be looking for the following:
Dates to remember after consultants and conference speakers on the planet. NGIA is
✓ Food to grow to save grocery expenditure (the food price
privileged to have acquired him for the 2 days of Conference.
index for the year ended February 2009 rose 8.8 percent)
John’s keynote address “Marketing Garden Plants – It is Time
✓ Flowers and colourful plants to feel good (Lipstick sales
to Change” is aimed at retailers, wholesalers, growers and
also go up in a recession, think colour and feel good factor)
suppliers. This thought provoking and sometimes controversial
presentation will provide ideas to grow sales. ✓ Education of all kinds on Gardening (That’s us,
Go Gardening will be sought after and keenly treasured as
Please display Other speakers include Anthony Tesselaar from Tesselaar a resource)
International; Andrew Cooke, a managing partner with an
for all staff. Auckland law firm with a special interest in employment law. No more DOOM members. Let’s
embrace the BOOM that’s there for
Contact NGIa for In addition, there will be plenty of chances to enjoy networking, us and get out there and strut your
more copies. good food and a tour of local facilities. There are two organised stuff!!
evening dinners – one at a mystery destination, the other the
Awards Dinner. This year’s awards are NZ Gardener Marketing, Debbie Pascoe, Go Gardening
Scotts Innovation, Hortfert Young Achiever and Daltons Nursery and madly passionate gardening
of the Year. industry supporter
Visit http://www.gogardenin
You are urged to make the most of this opportunity to “GROW”
g.co.nz for the latest updates, your
and we look forward to seeing you there. Programme and
member password is NGIA
registration information will be available soon.
plastics recycling update
Decisions on the applications for funding to run the pilot an industry stewardship programme and to get a feel for
programme are expected in early April 2009. their commitment to be involved in the recovery of plastic
from the Nursery and Garden Sector.
While programme managers 3R Group Ltd await these decisions
before commencing the detailed work of developing the A high level of engagement and interest has been
Gardenwise concept and pilot they have already commenced expressed. The detailed work on developing the
discussions with plastics suppliers to the Nursery Industry. They have Gardenwise programme for industry members will
met with one large scale supplier in March to share the concept of commence in earnest in April, albeit a wee bit behind schedule.
ellerslie 2009
a phenomenal success
The following is the media release sent out at is the largest number at Ellerslie in at least the last five
the end of the show. years and were much praised by the international panel
of judges.”
The Ellerslie International Flower Show 2009 has
been a phenomenal success “absolutely out doing Mr Mee says retailers at the Show has been “wondering
Auckland”, say Show Managing Director Dave Mee. “It is where the country’s economic recession is” with most
unprecedented, from the record breaking opening day experiencing sales which have far outstripped previous
on Wednesday to the more than 75,000 visitors who shows in Auckland. “Many retailers have had to courier
enjoyed this year’s five-day show in North Hagley Park. in extra stock from Auckland and even from Australia to
“Christchurch has really embraced and taken ownership replenish supplies.”
of Ellerslie which is fantastic. This has been the best Maya Neumann, a milliner from Sydney, has been an
Show in many years and may be the best in the 15-year Ellerslie exhibitor for the last six years and says “this
history of the Ellerslie International Flower Show.” Jane Birchell, a floral designer from Wellington, says
Show leaves Auckland for dead. I sold out all my winter Ellerslie 2009 is “the best show ever for us. This is our
He says the quality of the exhibitions has been hats within the first day and will be bringing 10 times fourth Show and it will be a sell out. We never expected
outstanding, which is always the measure of success the amount of stock to next year’s Show. This has been such a huge response.” She praised the North Hagley
for the Show. “The four gold award-winning gardens amazing.” Park venue for the Show and also the lay-out.
During the five-days there were:
• 20,000 Show bags and programmes distributed.
• 12,000 sandwiches consumed.
• 500 bunches of flowers sold from a single retail stand.
• More than 800 The Ellerslie cocktails drunk.
• 250 hats bought.
• 4500 hand massages by the Linden Leaves team.
• 100,000 toothpicks used in the Countdown
• Woolworths Marquee for food samples.
international Garden Centre Congress 2009
You are invited to attend the 51st International private visit to the gardens at Eaton Hall, Holker Hall, We look forward to welcoming you to Manchester.
Congress to be held in the northwest of England a cruise on the idyllic lake Windermere, dinner at
Guy Topping
between September the 13th and 19th 2009. Peckforton Castle and of course a Ferry on the Mersey!
IGCa Congress Committee Chairman
The Northwest has an un-paralleled wealth of award- In 2009 for the first time we shall be running a study
Book online www.igcacongress.com
winning Garden Centres to show you and each with its tour alongside the main congress. This is aimed at the
own unique character. Coming at the time it does, you next generation of Garden Centre Managers and will
will also get to see what surely must be some of the involve extensive analysis of the centres visited. This
world’s best Christmas displays. will be great value so please think who could benefit
within your organisation.
The Garden Centres however, are only one aspect
of the Congress and we will be taking you to some Numbers for the event are limited so don’t delay, why
breath-taking venues as well. Chatsworth House, a not book today?
westpac Membership services
NGIA Members, who utilise Westpac Bank for make significant savings on their Westpac credit card
processing their credit card transactions, will receive processing facilities. Westpac’s Business and Personal
an advice in the near future of a modest increase in Banking benefits remain unchanged to members.
fees. We suggest that this increase is justified and is in
Westpac have been providing NGIA members with a If you do not currently use Westpac to process your
line with other banks.
special rate and will continue to do so. In addition they EFTPOS transactions and would like to change, please
It should be noted that the increase is due to a general have a special deal on EFTPOS terminal leasing with contact Frances on 04 9183511
rise in processing costs that have been incurred and a very appealing offer. Please see the insert enclosed or frances@ngia.co.nz
absorbed to date by all banks. NGIA members will still with this newsletter.
ngianewsApril’09
success for nGia members at ellerslie
The opening day of the Ellerslie International Flower And the Trina Tully designed Terra Viva Kitchen
Show was uncharacteristically cold for Christchurch Garden won Silver. Peter Worsp of Terra Viva said,
in Autumn but may have been to my benefit as the “The Terra Viva Kitchen Garden presented an enticing
visitors were fewer, the queues shorter and it was outdoor dining space as the centerpiece of the
possible to visit and enjoy all the exhibits in the practical and productive kitchen garden. The design
combined productivity and classic garden design to
afternoon hours available. By contrast, the next day,
produce an area with sufficient visual appeal for the
Thursday, was pleasantly warm but ‘oh my gosh’, the
kitchen garden to be an integral part of the main
crowds! outdoor living area of any house. Cooking and eating
It is wonderful to report that yet again, our members the garden’s bounty in the midst of the productive
have performed well at the Show. This year, Hamish garden gives a sense of satisfaction to the owners and
a novel experience to visitors.”
and Tim Prebble of Texture Plants, Christchurch,
combined with Outerspace Landscapes, to win a Holding an Autumn show certainly didn’t restrain the
Bronze Award and the coveted “People’s Choice variety or standard of the gardens. If anything, it was
Award” for their Exhibition Garden “Backyard Retreat”. enhanced with the early autumn leaves of Hagley
Park, and the stunning displays of kitchen gardens
The garden was a combination of contemporary with fruit and vegetables ready to be harvested – very
structures and furniture set in an ‘oasis of botanically appropriate and inspiring with the current trend to
interesting plants.’ The unique plants that Texture ‘grow your own’.
Plants are famous for were used to provide a unique
And there was no shortage of flowers and colour as
garden of low maintenance and year round appeal.
the photos below illustrate. To view more, visit
It was a garden that could easily be relocated to any
www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz
back yard in NZ. www.garden-nz.co.nz
ngianewsApril’09
welcome to waikato district nGia outing
new members to daltons
The NGIA Board and staff would like to give a
warm welcome to the following new members: On Thursday March 12th, Daltons kindly hosted about Once in the processing shed we saw how the
40 visitors to tour their premises and dine at the chemicals were precisely measured out for the
natiVe GaRden nuRseRY Plantation Restaurant. particular mix being produced. Dalton’s create potting
56 Main Road, Makaraka, Gisborne mixes to very precise recipes for their individual
After being welcomed we all piled onto a bus to
Lana Hope, ph 06 8684483 customers. At every stage of production there were
tour the facility. Graham Salteil provided interesting
systems designed to provide checks which ensured
tHaMes MitRe 10 commentary as we were driven through the huge
that the final product was exactly what the customer
quarried areas where the raw ingredients of sand,
460 Pollen Street, Thames had ordered. Every product is signed off as it passes
New owner David Irons, ph 07 8687155 pumice, coir fibre, peat and bark, were collected and
through each stage of the processing.
screened for further processing, depending on the end
paLMeRs HoBsonViLLe product required. The highlight for me was the bagging shed where
Cnr Hobsonville & Brigham Creek Road, the three robots amazed everyone with the speed
Front end loaders seemed to be buzzing around
Hobsonville and precision with which they formed, welded, filled
loading up and unloading onto conveyors as the staff
Alan Thomson, ph 09 4168110 and sealed bagged potting and orchid mixes exactly
had especially stayed on later at work for our benefit.
the correct size and weight before stacking for the
CHanGe of detaiLs Huge piles of potting mix were laid out neatly in
automatic pallet wrappers to wrap.
lines to cover 8 months production, with visual and
Readytree Nursery – change of name & address
temperature testing carried out weekly. A most interesting tour was followed by plenty of
to: Allwood Trees Ltd
convivial conversation and a delicious meal at The
366 Halswell Junction Road As well as bulk and bagged potting mix, Daltons
Plantation Restaurant. Thanks to Daltons for a very
Christchurch 8025 create sand for golf bunkers, sand and pebbles for
Ph 03 3499240, Fax 03 3499245 interesting and entertaining evening.
roading projects, topsoil for landscapers, lawn mixes,
www.allwoodtrees.co.nz compost mixes, and special certified organic compost. Lorraine Knight
Growing Spectrum
To help keep our records up to date and
our communication lines open it would be
greatly appreciated if you could let us know
of any changes to your contact details.
Please fax your changes to 04 499 9589 or work and income support packages
email belinda@ngia.co.nz
woRkinG foR faMiLies maybe even financial assistance to help with wages,
training and other costs. They will be able to list a
This is a package designed to help make it easier to
vacancy for you, start finding suitable candidates and
dates to
work and raise a family. It pays extra money to many
contact the local Work Broker for you.
thousands of New Zealand families. Around three-
quarters of all families with children are eligible for To find out more go to the Work and Income website
remember assistance including:
✓ Almost all families with children, earning under
www.workandincome.govt.nz ,
or call 0800 778 008.
10-13 april $70,000 a year If you are considering down-sizing or relocating
Easter – retail closed Good Friday your business, Work and Income can also assist with
✓ Many families with children, earning up to
Redundancy Support. For more information on the
22 april $100,000 a year
Work and Income website, go to
Earth Day Visit www.earthday.net ✓ Some larger families earning more. www.workandincome.govt.nz/business/
30 april The package is made up of: a-z-services/redundancy-support.html
Closing date for all Awards entries This link includes the contact numbers for our Labour
✓ Working for Families Tax Credits
4 May Market Managers, who will co-ordinate a regional
Winter Go Gardening in store ✓ Accommodation Supplement (paid by Work and response to redundancies, assigning staff to support
Income) companies with information, assistance and referrals.
4 – 8 May
Bee Week ✓ Childcare Assistance
Supported by the New Zealand Beekeepers’
Association, Organics Aotearoa and
To find out more about Working for Families, go to
www.workingforfamilies.govt.nz fRee pLastiC pots
Horticulture New Zealand. or call 0800 257 477. To find out more about Work
and Income assistance, go to surplus to requirements
14-17 May
www.workandincome.govt.nz , • 3L green pots, branded Egmont Roses
IPPS Conference
or call 0800 559 009.
Contact Shirley Ogilvy 07 843 4902 • 5,000 to 7,000 available
5 June foR eMpLoYeRs • 70 - 80% new
World Environment Day Work and Income offers a free recruitment service and
will help you find full-time, part-time, temporary or Contact Greg Sampson, Cedar Lodge Nurseries,
Contact Shirley Ogilvy 07 843 4902
casual workers. You’ll receive their full support and ph 06 7550369 or Sampson@conifers.co.nz
Visit www.unep.org/wed/2009/english
29-30 July
NGIA Conference, Palmerston North NGIA NEWS is published by the Nursery & Garden Industry Association for its members only,
Contact Frances 04 918 3511 and no articles are to be copied in any way without the written permission of the NGIA.
Contact: NGIA
PO Box 3443, Wellington
ngianewsApril’09 Ph: 04 918 3511 Fax: 04 499 9589 Email: info@ngia.co.nz
www.ngia.co.nz