Wednesday, 12 February 2025 09:25

New Summerfruit NZ CEO

Written by  Nigel Malthus
Summerfruit NZ chief executive Dean Smith. Summerfruit NZ chief executive Dean Smith.

Dean Smith has been in the role of CEO of Summerfruit NZ for about four months, having succeeded Kate Hellstrom at the end of September.

He brings to the role considerable experience in the wine and fruit industry in the Hawke's Bay, including heading up th Hawke's Bay Fruitgrowers' Association in the aftermath to Cyclone Gabrielle.

In a post announcing his appointment, Smith said his vision for the industry was to consolidate and continue to expand, leveraging the investments that growers have made and will make in new varieties, and growing and harvesting methods that ensure consumers get the best taste experience possible, season after season.

"This approach will ensure that summerfruit growers prosper andf returns improve."

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