Chapman has been chief executive of NZ Kiwifruit Growers Inc since June 2005. He is interim chair of the industry's National Labour Governance Group, serves on a number of kiwifruit industry committees and is a Bay of Plenty Polytechnic councillor.
Chapman trained as a lawyer and his previous appointments include Defence Force solicitor as part of his career in the Royal NZ Navy, chief counsel at the Commerce Commission, professional standards director for the Auckland District Law Society and chief executive of Kiwifruit NZ.
Chapman will start his role with HortNZ on January 18.