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

Comments

#1601

I'm a Florist and I know how the industry is badly affected by lockdown

Gretchen Mawson (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1603

Because I work as a floral merchandiser for a supermarket, we weren't eligible for the subsidy, my hours have been cut due to lack of flowers due to restrictions in level 4! This has a ‘trickle down’ effect!
Flowers bring a little cheer in these dark times and do help mental well-being!
Flower growers should at least be able to supply to essential services!
If they can do it contactless, why not?
It’s their livelihood!

Sarah Coleman (Marton, 2021-09-08)

#1607

Flowers don't stop growing - they can be bought and delivered contactlessly and they also bring a little joy and happiness to people's lives. Often bunches of flowers are the first welcoming sight in supermarkets - spring is a hopeful time of the year. Let us have some spring flowers.

Natalie Medlicott (Dunedin, 2021-09-08)

#1616

I support flower farmers!

Michael Pickens (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1619

If the wine and tabacco industry can sell, then so should florists

Jacqui Stevenson (Blenheim, 2021-09-08)

#1622

this is typically unfair to local business and a dreadful waste of non re-usable product

Alisdair Methven (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1624

Times are very hard, flowers are more important than a glass of wine for peoples personal well-being!

Toni Macfarlane (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1626

I believe small flower farmers are providing a service that is required in L4 lockdown and should be included with all other products available for sale at supermarkets and food outlets as they have always bwen

Diana Chichester (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1627

We are growing flowers commercially in the Rotorua area and PlentyFlora too had to throw out lots of their flowers. This lockdown showed a lot more of non-essentials could be sold compared to the 2020 lockdown. If you allow flowers to be given away, you might as well get paid for it. Flowers do have a positive impact on people's well being.

Harald Esendam (Rotorua, 2021-09-08)

#1630

Flowers should be available! It’s non contactless like all the other operating non contact businesses and we could all use some cheering up, plus we must support these businesses

Belinda Hope (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1634

It isn't right that flower growers aren't allowed to sell their produce during level 4.

Leah Mather (Mangawhai, 2021-09-08)

#1639

I am a flower lover and during the lockdown it an amazing thing to look after flowers and they deserve to be put in the list and we need more flowers

Andy Oliver (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1641

It is an unbelievable waste as flowers give such joy to people and totally unfair to the growers not to be able to sell or home deliver

Wendy Craig (Woburn, 2021-09-08)

#1644

I’m in the wedding industry and flowers are a vital part of our business.

Kimberley Bright (Shotover Country, 2021-09-08)

#1646

The current restrictions on flower growers will cause long term damage to our local flower industry. These hard working kiwis need to be treated fairly. There product can be sold with zero risk and is as (of not more) essential to health and well being as many other traded commodities in lockdown.

Steve Foster (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1647

If companies can deliver wine then why can’t flower growers deliver flowers? I think these blooms could brighten someone’s life particularly in lockdown!

Katgy Voyles (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1649

It makes no sense to force flower growers to throw away flowers when they can be delivered contactless to outlets already open.
No other industry is forced to throw away its capital like this. Imagine requiring tourism operators, who are already hurting, to start trashing their vehicles. Or restaurants to keep ordering food, cooking perfect meals and binning them.
The flip side is that flowers are a product that can and does help mental health.
If ever there was a time to make an exception, it's now and this is it.

Mike Taylor (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1652

I love flowers and would love to be able to buy them in lockdown

Michelle Thirkettle (Helensville, 2021-09-08)

#1655

This is a utter disgrace, flowers are needed to cheer people up, funerals etc have a heart

ANNIE OXBOROUGH Oxborough (Matakana, 2021-09-08)

#1657

I would like to support flower growers in New Zealand

Sarah Stone (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1658

Flowers are important to wellbeing and should be able to be sold under level 4.

Christine Conway (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1664

It can be done contact less it's a family business and we need some beauty in our lives right now. ❤️💐

Charmaine Wallace (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1665

I am signing this petition because in hard times like being L4 lockdown for weeks on end being able to send and receive flowers is an important component of looking out for each others well being

Amanda Blennerhassett (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1669

No business with perishables that can have a benefit on mental health should be unesssential if they can safely carry out contactless delivery. Stop ruining people's lovelohoods.

Alix Stephen (Tauranga, 2021-09-08)

#1671

I think its disgusting that contactless deliveries can be arranged for all sorts of businesses, and yet seasonal work, like floristry, where the predominate season is SPRING! - has to stay locked down and non-trading. Criminal. The level 4 lockdown will put these people out of business.

Annelies Jones (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1673

If there is a possibility a company can deliver contactless and safe products I believe they should be allowed to do so. They wait all year to make their income and we should be able to support them.

Erin Kenyon (Blenheim, 2021-09-08)

#1674

Flowers make people happy which has got to be good for mental health right! Better than alcohol and takeaways! Sad to see flowers rotting in paddocks when they can bring so much joy to someone who’s feeling down.

Belinda Torok (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1679

I’m a flower grower in the South Island (season October to May) and feel so much for the flower growers in Auckland. You have alcohol but not flowers RIDICULOUS

Jo Castelow (Ashburton, 2021-09-08)

#1681

I think it is extremely unnecessary and unfair for these flower growers to have watch all their hard work go to waste. There is certainly safe and suitable ways for florists to distribute their flowers and will bring so much joy to many in the lockdown ! Ngā mihi

Val Gudsell (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1682

Fellow flower farmer that whole heartedly agree with that we desperately need change.

Jennifer Moulder (Pahiatua, 2021-09-08)

#1684

I'm signing this because it is so sad to see such alot of businesses struggling and so much work has gone into growing the beautiful blooms

Vicki McDaniel (Tauranga, 2021-09-08)

#1686

Its very wrong that all these beautiful flowers that these growers have nurtured and worked on for so long are wasted when precautions could be taken yo safely sell their product. Face masks, testing pickers etc etc. If someone from Auckland can sell something online and post throughout the country then why can't they

Stephanie Spain (Christchurch, 2021-09-08)

#1688

Flower growers should be included in level 4 and 3 as essential businesses and be able to sell their flowers, as the waste and the loss of revenue is huge and may even cause us to lose many flower growing businesses.

Emma Lyell (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1689

I’m signing because I work for a flower grower. I’ve seen the pain in the eyes of my bosses of having to compost our product, and I’ve seen the joy the flowers bring to the public in these trying times.

Aimee Evans (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1690

Like to support small businesses

Madi Johns (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1693

I'm a wedding florist & need our local grows to stay in business so I can continue to use there beautiful product throughout the year!

Sharni McGregor (Napier, 2021-09-08)

#1695

I'm signing because flower farmers deserve fairer consideration and protection, and that flowers are as meaningful as some of the other goods still being traded under level 4

Marina Hape (Hamilton, 2021-09-08)

#1699

the banning of picking and selling is so dictatorship control.

Steven Law (Warkworth, 2021-09-08)

#1700

You can drive to the bottle store and buy alcohol the government but you cant send flowers to others or yourself. If you can have people pick up food parcels, from schools, churches and ngo, which aren't monitored by police, then farmers/ growera for plants, vegetables, fruit should have contactless pick up or delievery.

Flowers naturally bring joy and sense of belonging.

Lastly, papatūānuku has blessed us with flowers what complete dis-respect if to Te Ao Maori if we bin the blessings of papatūānuku.

Ngā mihi

Akaau Nicholas (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1701

I am signing because I recognise that flower growers put a tremendous amount of time into growing their goods all year around. During the level 4 lockdown restrictions all of their goods go to waste because of the limitations to beings able to sell. I understand that it’s unsafe to do so person to person sales but I know there are other ways that these producers can still sell their goods safely. All other growers of fruit and vegetables etc are still able to sell their stock, possibly through other means alternative to markets etc there must be a way to not have all their hard work go to waste. This sessional kind of work it’s hard and the industry gets really hit by the lockdowns. If we can access a supermarket for our groceries I’m sure that we can access fresh flowers in a safe and successful way. Even if 50% of their crops make it to the public that would be better than composting it all, loosing money and then embarking on the next season out of pocket and behind in bills is a cycle that is damaging and hard to bounce back from! If I could I would order flowers direct from the growers and have it delivered via courier just like I can do safely from my home with many many other products that are made and grown in NZ! If anything I think we should prioritise all local, small NZ business in times like this!

Phoebe Pachter (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1702

Such a waste. Flowers should be equally as important to wine, beer & cigarettes etc.

Sarah Carswell (Feilding, 2021-09-08)

#1707

It is a travesty for the farmers, the environment and our community that beautiful flowers are going to waste. I know I would and many others would benefit from some fresh flowers to lighten spirits as lockdown drags on. This should be changed immediately and the rules amended for future lockdowns to reduce the stress and financial impact on growers.

Robin Wilson-Whiting (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1711

Like fresh vegetables, flowers can be supplied and distributed in a contactless way. Please support our flower growers.

Anita Smith (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1713

I’m signing because flowers ARE an essential item. They bring endless joy & in times such as these we NEED them. Mentally.

It is an utter & complete disgrace that our flower suppliers and their beautiful blooms that they tirelessly work year long annually producing for US has been so totally disrespected.

Mich Clarke (Waiheke Island, 2021-09-08)

#1714

The present L4 lockdown is killibg our economy by 10,000 cuts every day. The flower industry is just as essential as a local dairy.

Flemming Rasmussen (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1715

These people deserve the right to continue their business and not be bankrupt

Hannah Bronkhorst (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1716

The little business need to be valued as much as chain or large orgs.

Tracy Haddon (Palmerston North, 2021-09-08)

#1718

I am a small time boutique flower grower who lost my crops during the 2020 lockdown. I fully support the Northland and Auckland flower growers and do not want to see them loose anymore of their lovingly grown flowers to the compost heap.
Nz grown flowers are better for the environment without the harsh chemicals and low carbon miles.

Penny Campbell (Invercargill, 2021-09-08)

#1719

Having spent more than 10 years working in the cut flower industry I have insider knowledge that growing flowers is more like growing fresh produce than growing plants in a plant nursery. The fact that the government has mis-categorised the cut flower industry under level 4 regulations from the start of the pandemic in NZ will have devastating impacts on the growers. This needs to change. It is quite frankly ridiculous that alcohol can be considered essential (with all of the societal issues linked to it) when our cut flowers industry has been ignored and so severely negatively impacted.

Fleur Hirst (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1723

If ever there was a time for people to to behold the beauty of flowers, it is now!
Our flower farmers need to be supported.

Anna Heyes (Christchuch, 2021-09-08)

#1728

Businesses need help and it would definitely help with lockdown blues to have beautiful flowers in my home to brighten my day. Plus I hate wastage. Be kind!

Victoria Hall (Palmerston North, 2021-09-08)

#1729

Flowers are essential for lifting mood. A bit of cheer is essential in these times.

Rosalind Hasselberg (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1734

Flower growers need our help!

Mallory Allen (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1736

There is no reason flowers cannot be sold in a non contact setting, what upsets me is seeing people lined up outside liquor stores in west Auckland as that is essential ???

beverley brown (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1740

They should be able to open.

Denise Parsons (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1741

If you can buy alcohol on level 4 you should be able to buy flowers too!

Kellen Pinheiro (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1749

Love flowers and watching crops mowed last yr and then watching TV last night seeing all the beautiful flowers going to the rubbish again, heartbreaking 😥

Debbie Bond (Palmerston North, 2021-09-08)

#1752

I think the resolution offered makes sense (and flowers bring so much joy)

lisa garrity (Waiheke Island, Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1755

Is too hard for the flower growers. We need to help them

Tracey Morgan (Carterton, 2021-09-08)

#1762

Having fresh flowers in our home fills my soul - such a waste of time, money, effort and beauty …. If alcohol and cigarettes are considered essential surely fliers can be if able to deliver in a contactless/click and collect manner

Hilary Chaytor (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1765

The flower industry should be treated as a primary industry.
For example the kiwifruit industry picked and packed its entire crop last year in lockdown all destined for overseas markets!

Brett Coppock (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1774

Im signing as i feel this industry will struggle to recover

Pat Felton (Manly, 2021-09-08)

#1775

It’s unfair they can’t sell - flowers are excellent for mental health - also the wastage and resources gone into growing

Lorelle Stranaghan (Auckland, 2021-09-08)

#1776

These are businesses that need and deserve our help. Everyone has bought flowers for a loved one at one point or another and to see this type of service go down when they’re are solutions would be a shame.

megan Hopkins (Christchurch, 2021-09-08)

#1793

I fully support the flower industry operating contactless at Level 4. The flower growers are 99% owner operated as are florists and can comply with safety regulations outlined in the government Covid recommendations.
As an example; In NSW Flower farms fall under the broader category of Agriculture, NSW is the centre hub of flower distribution and Markets have mandatory Vaccinations for authorised workers and Registered buyers only for purchasing. The flower industry is still able to operate effectively and safely.
New Zealand flower growers need change.

Gail Matthews (Whangarei, 2021-09-08)

#1796

We need to support these growers….bring a smile to people during hard times…why can’t they be sold into supermarkets at least …other essential items are like meat, fish …what is the difference…let’s at least have some common sense ….

Liz Hamblin (Auckland, 2021-09-09)

#1797

Firstly what an absolute waste of hard work and beautiful flowers!!
Also, knowing how much flowers brighten people's day makes it something everyone could benefit from being able to order and have at home during a lockdown!

Shirley Hynes (Wellington, 2021-09-09)

#1799

It makes no sense to let these flowers go to waste

Megan Dickinson (Whangarei, 2021-09-09)