The future of the organisation which represents the interest of fruit and vegetable growers is secure thanks to an 85 per cent ‘yes' vote in Horticulture New Zealand's levy referendum.

Had growers voted against the levy, HortNZ would have ceased to exist when the current levy order expired in June 2013.

'It is gratifying to see growers understand the value of the work done on their behalf and, most importantly, the strength we all gain from having a unified voice for all growers,” says HortNZ president Andrew Fenton of Te Puke.

'The industry faces enormous challenges now and in the next few years. So it's critical to have a unified voice if we are going to overcome these challenges and grow the industry value.”

The vote confirmed grower backing for continued levy funding for the next six years.

The referendum asked for approval for a grower levy of 15 cents for every $100 of sales on all fruit and vegetables to raise about $2.5 million a year for HortNZ work on industry-wide issues, like biosecurity policy, land and water use issues and seasonal labour needs.

The levy referendum for HortNZ was conducted alongside four referendums for the vegetable industry product groups Vegetables New Zealand, Potatoes New Zealand Inc, TomatoesNZ and Process Vegetables New Zealand. All these groups achieved strong positive referendum support.

Previously fruit grower levies were topped up by the Fruitgrowers Charitable Trust, but that trust's major asset - a building in central Wellington - requires earthquake strengthening at a significant cost, meaning funds are no longer available for the levy.