The Prime Minister spent Thursday mingling with Central Otago farmers and orchardists as part of a two-day visit to the south.

Christopher Luxon made a guest appearance at Cromwell’s Suncrest Orchard, owned by the Jones family, and popped into the packing shed to have a catch up with local growers.

Organised by Summerfruit NZ board chair Trudi Webb, the prime minister sat down amongst orchardists and talked about the upcoming RMA reforms, and asked them what the big industry issues were.

“You guys do a critical job growing a world class product,” he said.

Regarding the RMA reforms that would have its first reading in Parliament in two weeks, the Prime Minister said “we haven’t got time to muck around anymore.” 

The ‘Rural Nats’ have been holding a series of meetings around the country which started in September and finishes in February 2026, touching on policy issues that they can take back to their caucus.

Associate Minister of Horticulture Nicola Grigg and Waitaki MP Miles Anderson were in attendance, along with Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley, and many horticulture industry representatives.

“Trust me when I tell you, that it’s going to change your life,” Nicola said about the RMA reform.

The Prime Minister chats informally with Central Otago fruit growers. The Central App photo

Teviot Valley fruit grower Stephen Darling questioned the Prime Minister about the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, which he described as “virtually unworkable, and almost unaffordable.”

Last season the Government capped the number of RSE workers at 20,750 for the 2024-205 season - up from 19,000, but growers have historically advocated for its removal to meet significant growth.

The Prime Minister said he was interested in growers’ views on local domestic workers solving the country’s unemployment rate, which many agreed was also a big part of their workforce - along with

backpackers during the harvest season.

Housing affordability came into the discussions with the Prime Minister saying the issues were all about supply, “we have tripped ourselves up in red tape.”

Christopher also attended a public meeting in Tarras in the morning, where wildfire risk and invasive pests and weeds was the topic of conversation. The day before he toured a Queenstown film studio, and

attended a National Party social event.

After Suncrest Orchard, he was whisked away by security to head back through the Kawarau Gorge, ready to catch a plane for another event in Auckland last night.