Season's first kiwifruit China bound
Zespri's first charter shipment of the 2024 New Zealand kiwifruit season is on its way to Shanghai.
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.
Animal rights organization, SAFE says the government needs to maintain the ban on live exports.
New findings from not-for-profit food supply and distribution organization, the New Zealand Food Network (NZFN) have revealed a 42% increase in demand for food support in 2023 compared to 2022.
New data released by LIC and DairyNZ shows New Zealand dairy farmers have achieved the highest six week in-calf rate and lowest notin- calf rate on record.
Christchurch City Council and the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association (CAPA) have signed an agreement which will open more of Canterbury Agricultural Park for public use while helping to provide long-term certainty for the A&P Show.
This year’s Fieldays will feature a Rural Advocacy Hub - bringing together various rural organisations who are advocating for farmers and championing their interests as one team, under one roof, for the first time.
ASB head of rural banking Aidan Gent is encouraging farmers to speak to their banks when they are struggling.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…