Lawrence Yule thrilled to be named National Party's horticulture spokesman

Tukituki National MP Lawrence Yule outside his new electorate office on Market St South, Hastings. Photo / Paul Taylor

Tukituki National MP Lawrence Yule says he is "thrilled" to be appointed the party's horticulture spokesperson, an industry that plays a significant role in the Hawke's Bay economy and New Zealand's global export market.

National Party leader Simon Bridges announced a raft of new appointments last week, and Mr Yule said MPs were asked what they wanted.

"I asked for horticulture, which I'm a great supporter of.

"It's a very sustainable use of resources, there's high production off small areas of land and is a relatively small user of water compared to the likes of dairying or other intensive agriculture.

"It's also being sold as a premium product high up on the value chain, and New Zealand does it very well."

There were challenges for the industry, however, nationally and locally on the Heretaunga Plains, he said.

These included finding enough land to meet the demand - in Hawke's Bay that included an area to house a further one million trees projected to be planted in the region over the next five years.

Efficient use of water and water storage were also ongoing challenges, as was solving the labour shortage issues that had been widely reported this season.

"I think there's potential to tie all this together to add value to what we are exporting as well as the domestic market, as well as grow jobs."

In his role in Opposition, he said he had an opportunity to work on a plan for horticulture that would be ready for when the National Party was back in government.

Meanwhile, work on his new electorate office on Market St South was complete and the premises had been open for about two and a half weeks.

"I was hoping to get Bill English to open it but now I am trying to set a date with Simon Bridges for a formal opening."

Situated in an old shop that had been empty for over a year he said it had been interesting being on the other side of council rules and regulations.

"There is a rule when changing a building's use from retail to commercial - it triggers a lot of rules under the Building Act - there's been a few challenges."

Otherwise he was happy to be in the CBD and said his aim was to be an accessible local MP.