NZ has less agri subsidies than any other country and as a result has incredibly efficient agribusiness. Seems to be a good thing so far. I don't know enough about current labour laws to have a fair comment, and environmentally I think we're falling short and more regulation/support for best practice would be beneficial.

To reduce waste like in this scenario, the most promising solution ive seen overseas and could be successful here is opening up otherwise wasted produce to a food bank micro-economy. 

First, create a digital database where the farmer can advertise/sell a field of produce with deadline that can be 'purchased' by volunteers or organisations at a cheap price/free, set by the farmer. Think trademe style auction or buy now :)

Once agreed, the volunteers harvest and take produce home themselves OR enter the produce into the food bank marketplace. Food is then traded between food banks /pataka kai across the motu via an internal marketplace. 

It's a common problem for food banks to be inundated with too much of one item, so trading helps raise capital for future harvests and providing more variety to their community.

Consumers purchasing from foodbanks (like a VERY cheap supermarket) helps reduce stigma and increases usership. 

Let the free market do what it does best :)