FARM MARKETS IN NEW ZEALAND

There are more than 50 agricultural markets between Kerikeri in the North Island and Riverton in the South Island, so you can find one by simply inquiring at the nearest tourist office. Here is a selection of popular markets.

Agricultural Markets of North Island

Whangarei:  The first agricultural market in New Zealand opened “north” in Whangarei about 10 years ago. Early on Saturday morning, a host of optimists rush to buy fresh food direct from the producers. Most customers arrive between 6:30 am and 7:30 am, although the market is open until 10:30 am

Bay of Islands:  Not far from Whangarei, you can find a more gourmet market style every Sunday morning in the city of Kerikeri, in the Bay of Islands. This market, famous for its artisan food products, also offers traditional fresh fruits and vegetables. Taste roasted coffee and fantastic jams. Subtropical fruits grow there, and jams, jellies and chutneys are particularly interesting.

Matakana: This rural town is located east of Warkworth on Auckland Road. With vineyards and olive groves in each direction, it offers a more sophisticated version of rural New Zealand life. The agricultural market, held every Saturday morning, is the place to sample delicacies such as organic hot chocolate with spices and Puhoi cheese. And also admire handmade products such as aprons and tea towels printed in the region.

Oratia: At the western border of Auckland, the Oratia Market in Parrs Cross Road is open on Saturdays from 9 am to noon. Special treats include organic ice cream, Maori potatoes, chocolate truffles and irresistible sauces for dessert. You can also learn how to make sausages, mozzarella and camembert. Cross Road is open Saturday 9am to noon. Special treats include organic ice cream, Maori potatoes, chocolate truffles and wicked dessert sauces. You can also learn how to make sausages, mozzarella cheese and camembert.

Parnell: Almost in the center of Auckland, Parnell’s French market, La Cigale, is open on Saturday and Sunday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. It’s an ideal place to stimulate your appetite: taste, among others, paellas, French cheeses, surprising smoked sausages and fabulous cakes. You can easily walk to this market in the city center. This area is also home to the Parnell Farm Market, which is held on Saturday morning between the library and the museum. You will be able to buy fresh food sold directly from the producer or manufacturer.

Hawke’s Bay: Open year-round to Hastings every Sunday, on sunny or rainy days, the Hawke’s Bay Farm Market features some of the finest regional produce sold directly by growers. Stroll through the market, listen to local music and discover the variety of products grown and produced in Hawke’s Bay. There is no cooler place to buy a lot of local produce.

Porirua: One of New Zealand’s most picturesque communities, Porirua, is just a short drive north of Wellington. The local market opens early (5:30 am!) And closes in the middle of the morning. Food stalls offer curry and roasts, chop suey, banana pancakes and many other Asian-Pacific dishes. Artists evolve in the middle of the crowd; the evangelists preach salvation; the artisans of the Pacific Island sell beautiful basketry. We never get bored in Porirua!

Agricultural markets of South Island

Blenheim:  Local flavors include wild game from the Marlborough area, green shell mussels, hazelnut products, locally grown saffron, organic salmon and scented oils. Under the bright blue skies of Blenheim, it is a celebration of flavors worthy of a picnic.

Waipara: The Waipara Valley agricultural market is at the heart of a wine-growing region. It is therefore another paradise of artisanal food. Based at Pegasus Bay Winery and located near a beautiful lake, this market is open every Saturday morning during the summer months. Local specialties include olive oil, homemade pastries, pies, Swiss bread, fresh fish and lamb.

Canterbury : Along Scenic Highway 72, which connects the western side of the Canterbury Plains, two agricultural markets are to be discovered, Oxford and Methven. They are both open on Sunday mornings during the summer; but Oxford’s is also open in winter. The plains are a big space of culture,

Ohoka on Friday mornings, all year round, in the tree-lined Ohoka estate is a bustling folk market that hosts over 30 merchants, with many visitors enjoying a wide variety of fresh produce from the local culture, north of Christchurch.

Rangiora : big novelty in June 2011, the agricultural market of Rangiora is held Sunday morning in the city center on the parking lot of the district council of Waimakariri, just next to the Vistoria Park. Already well supported by both merchants and buyers, this market will certainly become one of the main attractions for locals and tourists alike.

Otago: Located in the parking lot of Dunedin’s historic train station, the Otago Farm Market, which can hold up to 75 vendors, is open on Saturday mornings, merchants are all passionate about the products they grow, process, pack and store. prepare. The brands on the market include: Havoc Pork, Who Ate All The Pies, Organicland (organic beef, veal and lamb), Evansdale Cheese, Indigo Bakeries, Basecamp (smoked salami), Blue Water Products (fresh fish), and ‘Otago organic Group (organic herbs and vegetables).

Riverton: The historic South Village, Riverton, is home to New Zealand’s most remote agricultural market. It is held every Saturday morning at 10:30 and offers food produced within a radius of 50 kilometers. You’ll love organic ice cream and gourmet sausages.

In New Zealand, farmers do not want subsidies

Every five years or so, congressmen from rural areas team up to accept an expensive extension of agricultural policy. They are putting off the cover this year. The Senate recently passed a bill guaranteeing billions of dollars in subsidies to farms, and the House of Representatives did the same.

The Farm Bills project is lobbying. Politicians have never explained why US agriculture needs to be pampered by the government. Congress members are more concerned with grabbing subsidies for farmers in their respective states than discussing or debating the value of federal support.

They are not useful. The agricultural reforms of the 1980s in New Zealand prove it dramatically. In response to a fiscal crisis, the New Zealand government decided to eliminate almost all agricultural subsidies. This was a serious reform since New Zealand farmers were used to massive subsidies and the country’s economy is more dependent on agriculture than the United States.

Despite the protests, the subsidies were repealed in 1984. Nearly thirty production subsidies and export incentives were abolished. Did this result in a massive abandonment of agriculture and the end of family farms? Not at all. Of course, there was a difficult transition period for farmers but few of them left their land, as predicted. Only 1% of farmers in the country failed to adapt and had to quit.

The vast majority of New Zealand farmers proved they were experienced entrepreneurs – they straightened their businesses, explored new markets and rediscovered profitability. Today, New Zealand’s agriculture sector is more dynamic than ever, and farmers across the country are proud to prosper without government intervention.

Many farmers were just to receive subsidies. For example, 40% of the gross revenues of beef and sheep farmers came from government subsidies.

The removal of subsidies was a catalyst for productivity gains. New Zealand farmers reduced their costs, diversified land use, looked for non-agricultural sources of income, and developed new products. Farmers became more attracted to economically viable activities.

Official data confirm the reality on the ground of improving the efficiency of New Zealand agriculture after the reforms. Agricultural production stagnated in the years leading up to the reforms, but since then production has increased significantly faster than in other sectors of the New Zealand economy.

Since the reforms, the share of agriculture in the New Zealand economy has remained stable at 5% of GDP. If we add the para-agricultural activities such as processing of milk, meat and wool, agriculture is estimated to represent 15% of GDP. In comparison, the share of agriculture in the economy has fallen in other industrialized countries.

With the removal of subsidies in New Zealand, agricultural practices are turned to customers rather than attempting to receive as many subsidies as possible. At the same time, the entire supply chain has improved and food security is now of paramount importance. Companies supplying raw materials to farms have had to reduce their costs through the insistence of farmers for better value for money.

Greater efficiency in New Zealand’s agricultural production has resulted in better environmental management. For example, removing subsidies has reduced the use of fertilizers. This removal has allowed the emergence of new agricultural activities such as rural tourism that requires increased environmental management.

What American farmers must remember is that the end of subsidies must be seen as an opportunity, not a fatality. After the end of the subsidies, there is no doubt that American farmers will prove that they are talented entrepreneurs by innovating in many ways as New Zealand farmers have done. And we assume that – like New Zealand farmers – American farmers will be proud of their new independence and will have no interest in living again at the expense of the taxpayer.

It is a good time for America to introduce New Zealand-style reforms because commodity prices are high and farm finances are doing relatively well. It is true that weather conditions and markets create highs and lows for agriculture, but in the long run, the growth of the world’s population means greater demand for agricultural products.

Stopping agricultural subsidies in New Zealand has created a dynamic, diverse and growing rural economy, and has discredited the myth that agriculture can not live without subsidies. So instead of taxing the taxpayers who can no longer afford it, it is time for the US Congress to backtrack and consider an alternative that has proven itself: the market economy.