NZKGI Responds to Migrant Worker Exploitation Reports
Where any worker in the kiwifruit industry is mistreated, we expect the authorities to take action.
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.
Synlait has swung to second-half profit as operations stabilise, but the dairy processor still posted a $75.4m annual loss.
LIC shareholders have elected a new North Island representative to the co-operative's Board, along with five representatives to its Shareholder Reference Group (SRG), following the company's Annual Meeting held in Invercargill.
Farmers across parts of Southland and South Otago are continuing to deal with difficult conditions after a prolonged run of wet weather, with pressure building around feed supply, stock management, pasture damage, farm infrastructure and everyday workloads.
Federated Farmers says it welcomes Labour's commitment to reviewing the Sharemilking Agreements Act, calling on other major parties to do the same.
For Canterbury dairy farmers Sian Meijer and Rick Wobben, wearable technology has become one of their most valuable on-farm tools - helping manage 1850 cows across an expansive, high-performing dairy operation while improving efficiency, mating outcomes and day-to-day decision making.
Fonterra has unveiled its annual results for the 2026 financial year, posting $27 billion in revenue and close to $20 billion returned to New Zealand farmer owners and unit holders.

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