More kiwifruit to be grown overseas
Kiwifruit marketer Zespri got the go-ahead from New Zealand kiwifruit growers to increase their plantings of its fruit overseas.
Kiwifruit industry regulator Kiwifruit New Zealand (KNZ) has announced the appointment of Kristy McDonald QC as its new board chair.
McDonald replaces Sir Brian Elwood who has been in role 11 years. Elwood says McDonald is a highly regarded Queen’s Counsel with a wealth of legal, governance and regulatory experience and a genuine interest in primary industries.
“The industry will benefit greatly from Ms McDonald’s broad ranging skills and experience,” he says.
McDonald, a Wellington barrister, is a director of a number of boards including the Accident Compensation Corporation and Wairarapa Building Society; she chairs the Judicial Control Authority for Racing and is the former chair of the Real Estate Agents Authority.
The KNZ Board has also recently appointed Geoff Morgan as its new chief executive, replacing Richard Procter who was in the role for the past 10 years.
Morgan brings to the role a broad range of experience in export-oriented industries internationally, including seafood and meat, along with extensive regulatory and marketing experience, says KNZ.
“I believe the Kiwifruit Regulations have created a stable environment to enable growth and success in the kiwifruit industry. It is pleasing to see the industry now poised for a period of growth and substantial expansion,” says Elwood.
The board thanks Elwood for his contribution and commitment to the industry, and say they hope that the experience of the new appointments will help KNZ to develop innovative growth and cooperation across the industry.
Open Farms is calling on farmers to sign up to host an open day event on their farm this year.
Steph Le Brocq and Sam Allen, a bride and groom-to-be, are among those set to face off in regional finals across New Zealand in the hopes of being named the Young Farmer of the Year.
For the primary sector, 2024 would go down as one of the toughest years on record. Peter Burke reports.
Environment Southland says it has now ring-fenced $375,000 for new funding initiatives, aimed at enhancing water quality.
National Lamb Day, the annual celebration honouring New Zealand’s history of lamb production, could see a boost in 2025 as rural insurer FMG and Rabobank sign on as principal partners.
The East Coast Farming Expo is playing host to a quad of ‘female warriors’ (wahine toa) who will give an in-depth insight into the opportunities and successes the primary industries offer women.
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