increase font size
ZESPRI IS launching a new graduate recruitment scheme to attract top young talent into the kiwifruit industry.
Two positions are available to recent graduates, offering 18 months working across Zespri's business including six months offshore, explains Zespri global sourcing partner, Bernadette Ryan-Hopkins.
"The kiwifruit industry is looking at serious growth– with export revenue set to triple to $3 billion by 2025 – and Zespri wants the brightest and best employees onboard to grow our business. This new graduate recruitment scheme is part of our commitment to develop the future leaders of this industry," says Ryan-Hopkins.
Applications are welcome from graduates from all disciplines. Skills in languages, horticulture, marketing, IT and finance are particularly relevant but Ryan-Hopkins explains the right attitude is the most important of all. Zespri sells premium-quality kiwifruit in 53 countries around the world, with opportunities across the business in different areas including marketing, finance, logistics, supply chain, horticulture, science and legal.
"The successful applicants will also have a senior executive mentor for their time at Zespri – an excellent opportunity to get advice from someone who's worked their way through the business," says Ryan-Hopkins.
Applications are open from July 28 to August 25. Applicants must be New Zealand residents and have graduated within the past 12 months. Visit www.zespri.com for more details and to apply online.
Key facts about Zespri
• With sales revenues of $1.35 billion, Zespri is one of the world's most successful horticultural marketing companies and NZ's largest horticultural exporter
• The Zespri brand is recognised as the world leader in premium-quality kiwifruit
• Based in Mount Maunganui, Zespri is 100% owned by current or past kiwifruit
• growers, and employ about 280 people in New Zealand, Asia, Europe and North America
• On behalf of our 2,400 growers in New Zealand and 1,200 growers based elsewhere, Zespri manages kiwifruit innovation and supply management, distribution management and marketing of Zespri Green, Zespri SunGold, Zespri Organic, Zespri Gold, Zespri Sweet Green and Zespri Charm Kiwifruit.
Zespri’s counter-seasonal Zespri Global Supply (ZGS) programme is underway with approximately 33 million trays, or 118,800 tonnes, expected this year from orchards throughout France, Italy, Greece, Korea, and Japan.
According to Zespri's November forecast for the 2025/26 season, returns are likely to be up for all fruit groups compared to the last forecast in August.
European growers are playing a key role in ensuring Kiwifruit marketer Zespri has year-round supply of high-quality fruit for consumers.
Brett Wotton, an Eastern Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower and harvest contractor, has won the 2025 Kiwifruit Innovation Award for his work to support lifting fruit quality across the industry.
Keep up with innovation and e-commerce in China or risk losing market share. That was the message delivered at the China Business Summit in Auckland this month.
Greenlea Premier Meats managing director Anthony (Tony) Egan says receiving the officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) honour has been humbling.
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
OPINION: The release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red-letter day…
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to…
