Todd Talks By Todd Muller

It's been a big year for our land-based industries, particularly those in the Bay, where kiwifruit and avocados have booth had strong seasons.

I can recall being a young leader (to the extent you could say I was either) at the Knowledge Wave Conference in 2003 where I heard Helen Clark pronounce our agrisector as sunset industries. I reacted negatively at the time, and it's more pronounced today.

Zespri's kiwifruit is set to make $1.116 million in sales, which is up $177 million on the 2014/2015 result.

Avocados made $135 million during last season and are set to quadruple by 2023. Both fruit varieties are well placed to take advantage of the various trade deals that have been negotiated this year.

I encourage officials, bureaucrats, commentators and the occasional animal welfare group, to get out of their echo chamber bubbles and see for themselves the innovative practices and attitudes that underpin our productive sectors.

They will find business women and men who are tuned to customer and consumer expectations, have hope demands of their supply chain to be as efficient as possible, willing to invest to build brands and markets and a pipeline of innovative products.

No sunset industries in sight, rather ones that can see the future and are excited by the challenge and opportunity.

Can I wish you all a prosperous New Year and I'm sure you will join me in thanking our retiring Trade Minister Tim Groser.

He's a genuine Kiwi patriot, always advocating in our interests against highly organised and sophisticated opposition. He has done our country proud and will continue his service in Washington.