Horticulture New Zealand is concerned proposed laws to fast-track house construction could come at the expense of prime arable land.
The organisation's natural resources and environment manager, Chris Keenan, has appeared before a Parliamentary committee hearing submissions on the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Bill.
The legislation allows the Government to make unilateral planning decisions if agreement can't be reached with councils.
Mr Keenan told MPs future food needs need to be considered alongside the further development of land.
He gave the example of Pukekohe, which he said is the only area in the country that has frost-free growing conditions all year round and is a major supplier of food for Aucklanders.
Mr Keenan told the committee the country's arable land needed to be protected from housing development.
