Bridging the gap with rural New Zealand
OPINION: One thing I keep hearing from rural New Zealanders is the importance of relationships. Strong relationships don’t just happen - they take trust, consistency, and time.
Auckland-based marketing manager Bernadine Guilleux has joined the Horticulture New Zealand board.
Guilleux was one of the two directors elected by HortNZ members; sitting director Mike Smith was re-elected. Four candidates contested two vacant roles on the board.
Guilleux, marketing manager at Balle Bros in Auckland, is the only female member of the board.
HortNZ chairman Julian Raine says Guilleux has been “immersed in horticulture since childhood and has an impressive CV, including international qualifications, will bring a new perspective to the board”.
"We are conscious the board was all male, so it was great to see three women put their names forward for this election, with Bernadine being successful.
"The board’s goal is that its membership embraces the diversity of Horticulture New Zealand’s grower members."
Horticulture New Zealand represents over 5,000 commercial fruit and vegetable growers who employ about 60,000 people, making a significant contribution to New Zealand’s economy.
Smith has been involved in the kiwifruit industry for 20 years and currently grows kiwifruit in Welcome Bay, near Tauranga. He has been a Horticulture New Zealand director since 2015. He is focused on levy payers getting value for their levy.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
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