Auckland urban sprawl could push up vegetable prices - report

Fruit and vegetable growers are warning Auckland's urban sprawl could push prices up sharply and jeopardise the country's produce supply. A new report commissioned by Horticulture New Zealand says vegetable growing land has decreased by nearly a third between 2002 and 2016. It says even more market gardens around Pukekohe are under threat if Auckland's housing advance on Pukekohe's market gardens isn't reined in. Horticulture NZ's chief executive Mike Chapman told reporter Chris Bramwell that report should compel the government and councils to act.