New Zealand Flower Farmers deserve fairer treatment and consideration. Support contactless deliveries for cut flowers through level 3 and 4 Delta lockdown.

Comments

#201

It seems unfair. Very low risk of transmission with flower farmers and know it’s a tough way to make any $$ and very seasonal so they’ll be struggling

Katie White (Auckland, 2021-09-07)

#203

I'm signing house petition because I'm a nz flower farmer who is directly effected by the lockdown restrictions.

Kelly Hammond (Marlborough, 2021-09-07)

#204

I firmly believe both flowers and gardening are closely related to good mental health. These should be classed as essential industry.

Kate Barry (Featherston, 2021-09-07)

#205

I am a small flower farmer in Auckland. From the start of my growing journey I have tried to educate people on the environmental advantages of buying locally grown flowers. In the same way buying local sustains small businesses in New Zealand, buying local flowers sustains our industry. But with a lockdown we as growers are not deemed farmers and so lose all ability to make a sustainable living. All we ask is to be seen as agriculture so that we can drop off our flowers to one of the many essential businesses out there or be able to trade contactlessly, which is entirely possible. This would protect small and big growers against these crippling losses and help the floriculture industry to survive the pandemic.

Marga Jordaan (Kaukapakapa, 2021-09-07)

#210

I believe flowers are as important as wine during lockdown to maintain mental health and flower growers should be included in the other primary industries as non contact essentials

Vanessa King (Warkworth, 2021-09-07)

#212

I'm signing this because I am a florist and work closely to a grower and this level 4 I'd crippling them.
People aren't able to see their friends and family members for special occasions or in sad times and sending flowers is a way of being there and showing they care, yet we can send wine....

Kerryn Penny (Kaukapakapa, 2021-09-07)

#214

This is unfair on our flower industry when flowers can be safely sold at level 4 and it would help support an already damaged industry at its most vulnerable time - spring!

Kate Van den Bergh (Auckland, 2021-09-07)

#216

My father farms flowers as his main source of income, not being able to sell flowers contactless unfairly jeopardises his livelihood.

Brett Mann (Auckland, 2021-09-07)

#221

I'm signing because there is just to much waste. It's the only perishable item that's not classed as essential. But I think there should be an exemption. This can easily be done contactless.

Emily Vautier (Waihi, 2021-09-07)

#227

My daughter is a flower farmer.

Astrud Morgan (Auckland, 2021-09-07)

#230

I'm a flower grower with a seasonal crop, which peaks in September.

Jacob Jongkind (Whangarei, 2021-09-07)

#233

I love my flowers - always have them in my home . Am an avid gardener and
For me it’s my outlet in these crazy times . Having them in my home make me happy !!! 😍

Janene Malcolm (Whangarei, 2021-09-07)

#234

Why should supermarkets/stores be able to sell flowers grown overseas when our own growers here are struggling,when we have great NZ growers who have worked hard to get thier flowers to selling point and then are unable to sell them onto the public/sellers.

Belinda Smith (Hastings, 2021-09-07)

#236

There's no reason why cut flowers shouldn't be allowed in Level 4, whilst people are selling handmade food which we ingest and alcohol stores are open.

Ingrid Berzins (Auckland, 2021-09-07)

#237

Aunty Cindy has got too much control!

Bruce Baker (Auckland, 2021-09-07)

#240

If businesses are able to operate safely and contactlessly under level 3 and 4 they should be allowed to trade.

Kylie Dunstan (Auckland, 2021-09-07)

#241

Growers put a lot of money and effort into growing flowers to bring us pleasure. They deserve their income and it's a travesty to compost their beautiful flowers.

Hilary Bladen (Auckland, 2021-09-07)

#242

I’m signing because there is no way any of these flower farmers should be going through what they are! Their business, mental health and livelihoods are all at risk and something needs to be done.

Jono Wagner-Bennett (Marton, 2021-09-07)

#243

There must be a way to deliver fresh flowers contactlessly and I for one would love to be able to support flower growers

Ali Allard (Auckland, 2021-09-07)

#247

As flower growers we need you to take seriously and understand the short and future implications of an industry that is struggling under the current restrictions.

Kay Chandler (Hastings, 2021-09-07)

#248

I am a Flower grower in Auckland impacted by the restrictions that have been put in place because of Covid

Debbie Majurey (Birkdale, 2021-09-07)

#250

Flowers are so needed at this time!

Christy Ralphs (Waiheke Island, 2021-09-07)

#253

Im signing because my industry is being destroyed by this lock down

Darryl Riddington (Tauranga, 2021-09-07)

#254

I’m signing because my daughter is a NZ wedding florist who needs these farmers for her business.

Fiona Hailes (Rarotonga, 2021-09-07)

#255

I know so many flower growers struggling

Alexandra Te Brake (Auckland, 2021-09-07)

#260

I am a flower grower

Kathryn Ellis (Katikati, 2021-09-07)

#261

Flower growers are and should be part of essential produce for wellbeing especially when alcohol can be delivered to the door

Cheryl Byrne (Waiheke island, 2021-09-07)

#262

I’m a flower farmer too and feel strongly the beautiful crop shouldn’t be thrown in the bin.

Nikki Smith (Hamilton, 2021-09-07)

#263

I see no reason to throw flowers away when we could do contactless

Sophie Blackburn (Auckland, 2021-09-07)

#266

I miss the beautiful flowers from our local flower farm and I feel so sad that they are all going to waste!

Hayley Hailstone (Waiheke island, 2021-09-07)

#268

Need to protect all business

Angela RIDDINGTON (Whangarei, 2021-09-07)

#269

People need to be allowed to make a living if it can be done in a safe manner.

Lisa Chan (Tauranga, 2021-09-07)

#274

I wanted to send flowers to a friend in NZ and was unable to because of the lockdown. I would have ordered online and the flowers could have been delivered without contact. Seriously NZ govt are you trying to kill all small businesses?

Brenda Appley (Gold Coast, 2021-09-07)

#275

I'm signing because I believe that cut flower growers should be able to operate and deliver during COVID-19 Level 4/3. They should be classed as essential not only because this is fresh perishable product but there has been research proving that flowers have a long term positive effect on mental health, and we could all do with that sort of positivity during lockdown.

Anne Baynham (Auckland, 2021-09-07)

#276

I want to support local flower farmers during Lockdown. Their products bring joy and comfort to people and life their souls. Flowers are just as essential as, say alcohol, which is freely available. Free the flowers!

Jill Horrobin (Thames, 2021-09-07)

#279

I support the plight of flower growers... They should receive the same consideration as wine farmers...

Mariette Dodd (Auckland, 2021-09-07)

#286

Flowers keep my family happy and positive during lockdown

Jens-Peter Link (Auckland, 2021-09-07)

#289

Because I can completely understand where the flower farmers are coming from, all their hard work going to waste.

Annette Garratt-Clarke (Rangiora, 2021-09-07)

#292

This also applies to a lot of seedling, seasonal and flowering plants.

Tania Langen (Whangarei, 2021-09-07)

#293

Flowers are important for mental health!

Dawn Jeffery (Waiheke Island, 2021-09-07)

#298

Flowers farmers should be allowed to sell their products in level 4 same as were growers. It is an essential item n flowers are very good for mental health. These are hard working people n this is a perishable product.

Ilona Deane (Northcote, 2021-09-07)

#304

I'm a small flower farming that see no reason why I am not aloud to sell my flowers contactless to another business that's open in level 4 such as a Supermarket or Dairy.

Victoria Leitch (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#308

Flower growers need help to survive!

Marie Adams (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#309

We are flower growers in South Auckland area. We had to chuck about $30,000 worth of flowers as there was no buyer for them and it took us 4 months to grow them. In order to keep going we must be considered as essential business and flower trade should carry on in level 4 as I know it can be done safely just like other essential businesses.

We do not wish to close down our business and one more lockdown will push us towards just that.

Ankit Jatana (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#312

It's totally unnecessary to prevent flowers being sold via delivery or in shops already open. There need be no contact at all. You are destroying an industry. And flowers brighten ones day and improve mental health in lockdown.

Fiona Van der Nagel (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#314

This is an important industry to support and help. If so many other industries are now allowed to continue through covid level 3/4 why is the same not for the flower industry.

Sarah James (Nelson, 2021-09-08)

#315

I feel very strongly about the survival of our industry!

Kelly Laurence (New Plymouth, 2021-09-08)

#317

I want to support the people and business in our industry

Amy Zareei (Queenstown, 2021-09-08)

#320

A lot of our growers and markets are auckland based. our business relies on these markets to maintain our business

Deborah Nowell (Matamata, 2021-09-08)

#321

As a florist who focusses on environmental floristry, I utilise local Kiwi-grown product. I understand the mahi, love and money that it takes for our flower growers to be successful in a small market. And more than this, I appreciate the risk taken by them to supply my business.
Just like many food-growing gardens, many growers are based in the Auckland region due to the favourable climate. However, unlike the market gardens, flower growers can’t harvest and take their product to market.
THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME.
I am devastated to watch and hear about the businesses that may not make it out of this lockdown, and am hurt that a government that I voted for and trust is seemingly blind to the difficulties facing this grower group.
I call for immediate government action to allow the flower growers to harvest their product, get it to market, or safely ship it. Additionally, I call for targeted financial assistance to help the industry recover.

Erica Anderson (Lawrence, Otago, 2021-09-08)

#323

I think it’s unfair that a perishable product is not able to be sold contactless during level 4.

Gemma Mcdougall (Kimbolton, 2021-09-08)

#324

The shortage of flowers caused by this loss of production will have a long-lasting & detrimental effect on our flower industry. I think many businesses will close as a result of this including flower producers & florists.

Meghann Humphries (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#325

I think the NZ flower farmers are being treated unfairly.
I want to be able to support these local businesses by buying their perishable goods (contactless) … for my well-being and theirs!

Julia Crawford (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#327

I believe flowers are an important part of life and improve mental health. I'm from the UK, and I saw that all through their lockdown, florists were able to operate in a safe way, contactless. In these times, it would be lovely to be able to send flowers to those folks in need of a lift, to funerals when we cant be there, to the sick when we can't visit and to loved ones when we can't see them on special days. As well as support local and national small businesses who work so hard in all conditions and all hours. I totally support this move. Thanks for reading.

Cathy Hawley (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#333

It is contactless payment and small business is struggling

Vicky Waters (Kumeu, 2021-09-08)

#334

At least treat them fairly with other produce growers and nurseries.

Lee Rotherham (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#337

Never has it been more important to be able to send flowers, to acknowledge life events and show you care when you can't be there. Please allow contactless delivery for the flower industry.

Liz Jarman (Christchurch, 2021-09-08)

#338

It affects all those out of Auckland as well - BOP and Waikato heavily affected by flower shortages due to our amazing Auckland Growers not being able to pick and send to our markets....

Tracey Jeffcoat (Tauranga, 2021-09-08)

#339

I believe flower growers should be able to sell their product during covid 19 level 4 and level 3 lockdowns. It can be done in a safe contact less way....and there are many products being traded that do not have the benefits of fresh flowers.

Rosemary Bullock (Waiheke Island, 2021-09-08)

#340

I believe flower farmers can safely distribute their flowers in a non-contact way through shops that are already essential and open and would not need to bring in staff if that wasn't appropriate in L4 and L3, but still should be able to distribute where they can without breaking bubbles.. Please adjust settings for flower farmers, the economic impact and waste is heartbreaking and can be mitigated by allowing to operated within bubbles.

Vibeke Brethouwer (Waiheke Island, 2021-09-08)

#341

We love our flower growers

Annie Sainsbury (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#346

Im a flower farmer and it’s a struggle to harvest and keep planting and sowing with such uncertainty. We must adhere to public health measures that’s a given however could there be a compromise without putting the public at risk.

Nicola Smith (Blenheim, 2021-09-08)

#347

The current restrictions on selling flowers make no sense. Everyone knows that flowers make people feel good and surely feeling good is more important than ever when people are dealing with lockdown and isolation. It is simply heartbreaking to think of all the beautiful flowers that growers have lovingly grown being thrown on a compost pile. Those flowers could be making such a difference to so many people - growers, florists, the general public. C’mon the powers that be - be kind!

Kerin Greville (Hastings, 2021-09-08)

#349

I am a Florist .

Tanya Black (Cromwell, 2021-09-08)

#350

The floral industry is suffering terribly.

Laura McGuire (Christchurch, 2021-09-08)

#356

I’m watching my two daughters that are flower growers struggle with no income and throwing beautiful flowers, all the while no being able to pay their mortgage.

Shirley Farley (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#357

As a florist, we are having trouble sourcing good quarlity New Zealand Blooms, Please let these growers supply the Florists in the rest of the country.

Raewyn Clifton (Stratford, 2021-09-08)

#358

This really is not fair, our tiny industry work so hard to have to compost our crops. Please hear the voices and ‘be kind’.

Micaela Bray (Te Puke, 2021-09-08)

#360

If it’s ok for people to bake and sell sour dough bread then it should be ok to sell flowers which have a short season.

Ivars Berzins (Paraparaumu, 2021-09-08)

#363

I am in the industry and believe that flowers are an important part of peoples wellbeing. I alcohol can be deemed essential, then flowers DEFINATELY are.

kerri murphy (Tawa, 2021-09-08)

#366

I’m a florist and own a wedding business this is heart wrenching seeing our flower suppliers having to close up shop or cull flowers. We have had enquires from clients wanting flowers for a sick mum or just for their mental health which obviously we can’t supply but surely a bunch of flowers can be added to the grocery list and bought from a supermarket or a dairy.

Debby Quinn (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#368

I am a flower farmer

Jo Paul (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#369

Cut flowers are one of the biggest perishable industries and is not being treated fairly by the government. People’s livelihoods are being ruined by the NZ govt allowing imported flowers to take precedence over local nz growers.

Sarah Hughes (Hamilton, 2021-09-08)

#370

Flower farmers produce a perishable product and should be allowed to sell it in Level 4 in the same way that fruit and veg can be sold during level 4.

Sarah Till (Hastings, 2021-09-08)

#373

I am a flower farmer in Auckland and this affects me!

Lisa Bindon (Warkworth, 2021-09-08)

#374

Flowers bring so much joy and are a perishable produce that takes an enormous amount of money and hard labour and so sad to see the florists having to compost these beautiful spring flowers and going without thousands of dollars every week when they could safely be contact less delivered.

Carolyn Smart (Waiheke Island, Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#375

A fairer system needs to be implemented so fresh flower growers can still sell their product on.

Kim Williams (Hawera, 2021-09-08)

#376

I’m in support …. Be kind and brighten up our lives

Patrick De Vos Van Steenwijk (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#377

I am signing because I am a flower grower who has had to waste again a lot of flowers because we are not allowed to trade during level 4. It gives a lot of financial strain on top of all the other difficult circumstances.

Elsa Van der Put (Greytown, 2021-09-08)

#379

I’m a florist and this industry is important to my livelihood and I do not want the growers to suffer.

Carolyn McFarland (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#381

I am a florist and my parents are flower growers.

Hannah Jess (Paeroa, 2021-09-08)

#383

our industry needs help

naomi saffer (auckland, 2021-09-08)

#387

I love flowers!!

Jenny Collins (Turangi, 2021-09-08)

#388

To help the flower growers get some income.

Alex Broome (Whakamārama, 2021-09-08)

#391

Every small business in NZ needs to be supported. Flowers bring joy & comfort. Especially during this tough time of lockdowns and Covid-19. We need to keep as many businesses afloat and ultimately thriving, so they can come out the otherside of this pandemic, still viable.

Petrina Skelley (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#392

I am a florist and am feeling the effects of the Auckland growers not being able to supply my shop now I am in level 2 and op-orating -
this is going to drive up the cost of the flowers that are available entail I will have have to pass this cost onto my customers

Michele Elliott (Gisborne, 2021-09-08)

#397

The financial impact that this is having on nz growers is devastating. This not only affects them but the whole of NZ and will do for some time afterwards with the increase in the cost of cut flowers to the public as a direct result of this. We should be supporting NZ businesses as much as we can. It seems completely crazy to me that alcohol is seen as an essential but flowers not?

Erin McIntyre (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#399

I'm a flower grower and I'm going broke due to the current situation

Craig Francis (Waimauku, 2021-09-08)

#400

There is a vitality and healing power in the giving of flowers and I believe it is imperative in this time of uncertainty, and loneliness for many. I value our flower farmers and have seen first hand the hard work and effort they put in to ensure we have healthy, nontoxic, locally grown flowers. They need to be supported and valued for what they can provide for our country. We need to be able to protect the wellbeing and strengthen our communities mental health during this time.
I am very concerned about the long term effects on our local flower farmers and their ability to continue functioning financially and emotionally.

Josie Cunningham (Auckland, 2021-09-08)