Zespri Breaks Records with $5.9 Billion in Global Kiwifruit Sales
Zespri's sales of kiwifruit for the 2025 season have broken all past records.
Good
Industry good leader of the year - Bruce Wills for restoring the credibility of Federated Farmers and giving them mainstream status after years of being in the wilderness and being seen a ragtag bunch of perpetual moaners.
Organisation of the Year – Dairy Women's Network for growing by 30% and adding 700 new members as well as holding its first Dairy Woman of the Year award.
Toughest job of the year – NZ Kiwifruit Growers Inc. president Neil Trebilco for steady leadership as the industry news just kept getting worse, upbeat where possible, 'realistic' when necessary, which was most of the time.
Agribusiness of the year – Miraka the new Maori dairy company in the central North Island. Great vision, great leadership and an example of the 'can do' kiwi attitude. Fonterra – take note!
Communicator of the year – Chris Kelly for always being available to the media and always talking common sense and showing great leadership during the Crafar farm sale. His retirement will be a loss to the primary sector.
Consistently good PR – DairyNZ for its field days, Beef + Lamb NZ the same, and the office of Minister for Primary Industry David Carter.
Lifetime contribution – Retiring Fonterra chair Sir Henry van der Heyden. His 20 years of service to dairy industry leadership is deserving of a knighthood and the odd bit of criticism. However, some of the nasty claims in the past six months have been unedifying, unwarranted and unfair.
Bad
PR disaster of the year – Impossible to separate Fonterra for TAF and Horizons Regional Council for One Plan. They can both share the prize money and ignominy.
Under the radar award for excellence – Maori farming in general. Making a valuable contribution to New Zealand and saying little about their success.
Henry hecklers – The nameless, faceless group of Fonterra shareholders who have tried to gain support by putting the boot into outgoing chair Henry van der Heyden.
Most press releases – Federated Farmers by a country mile or two or three. At times, one wonders what they on about, but at least the Feds are always willing to engage media even if they can be slightly OTT at times.
Ugly
One Plan – Horizons Regional Council, Fish and Game, DOC and the Environment Court can all claim credit for a dreadful, unworkable regional plan that will go a long way to wrecking the economy of the Horizons region.
Dr Mike Joy – For his regular pronouncements on the environment, which went far beyond saving native fish species and potentially tarnished New Zealand's clean green image
Psa – The nasty disease that continues to devastate kiwifruit crops and growers around the country and no real sign to an end of it yet.
Politicians
David Carter – Never afraid to speak his mind and ruffle feathers when required. Maybe has too much faith in MPI and will be a loss to the sector if made Speaker.
Amy Adams – As Minister for the Environment she is leading the charge on RMA reforms. Smart, decisive and maybe a PM in the making.
Damien O'Connor – Did his best in a party that is essentially more interested in gay rights than the economy. Good man, wrong team!
