Deer farmers dump industry-good body chair

Bell will step down as chair of Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) on June 30 after the New Zealand Deer Farmers Association selection and appointment panel decided not to reappoint her to the DINZ board as a farmer-representative.

Bell, owner of Criffel Station in Wanaka and a deer farmer for more than 30 years, has been a DINZ director since 2021. DINZ is currently recruiting for a new chief executive and Bell has been acting as executive chair.

“I am disappointed not to be re-appointed to the DINZ Board, however I am confident that the organisation is well-placed to continue the great progress we’ve made in the last few years,” says Bell.

“I am also grateful for all the support I have received from the DINZ board, staff, farmers and the wider industry during my time on the board and as chair. The many calls from deer farmers and industry partners in the days following the selection outcome have been humbling.

“The DINZ board and management have successfully developed a new strategy for the industry and DINZ’s passionate and hard-working team is making excellent progress on leveraging opportunities across the full value chain.

“My focus will now return to my commercial interests, but my 30-year association with the deer industry will continue as others take up the governance role for this organisation.”

The DINZ Board is made up of eight members, four appointed by producers through the NZDFA Selection and Appointment Panel (NZDFA SAP) and four appointed by processor/exporters.

The media statement from DINZ doesn’t say who was elected to replace Bell. However, last month DINZ announced that Bell had offered herself for re-election and that there was another nomination, John Tacon. Both Bell and Tacon presented their messages at the NZDFA annual meeting last month. They were interviewed by the selection and appointment panel this month.

Gerard Hickey, deputy chair of DINZ and exporter-representative, says that Bell would remain as chair until the end of June, following which a new chair will be announced, as appropriate.

“No one has worked harder than Dr Mandy Bell to advance the interests of the sector and support the transition of DINZ to better support the deer industry in New Zealand.

“On behalf of the DINZ Board, I want to thank Mandy for her dedication and hard work, particularly in recent months as we have been working through our organisational changes and new industry strategy.

“She leaves DINZ and our industry much better positioned to tackle the challenges and capitalise on the significant opportunities before us.

“While Mandy’s expertise will be greatly missed, the board is strongly engaged and determined to ensure we do not lose our momentum in executing our strategy to maximise value for all industry players.”

Paddy Boyd, DINZ farmer-elected director, said: “I have worked with Mandy on industry good projects, which have delivered significant positive outcomes for deer farmers. Her strategic expertise and focus has brought real value to the industry.”