Jens Liesebach, KGI Lower North Island Representative
New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc (NZKGI) has appointed Colin Bond as the new Chief Executive Officer. Colin, who took over from Nikki Johnson on 24 May, has an impressive track record over the past 22 years with ANZ Bank, particularly in his most recent role as Regional Manager – Commercial and Agriculture. Colin will bring a wide range of skills and experience to the CEO role and will lead NZKGI well in advocating and increasing value for growers, building on the strong work Nikki Johnson started.
While the harvest of Gold kiwifruit is coming to an end, green kiwifruit has only just started Mainpack. Soil moisture levels are dry, but the lack of rain is facilitating the harvest process. Growers are starting to reflect on the season and prepare for leaf drop, keeping wounds protected from PSA infections. The Zespri Global Extension team will be running a workshop on 26 May, Havelock North to help growers to make the most out of nutrient inputs, while minimising environmental impact.
Zespri and NZKGI are ensuring growers receive a range of information on the topic of the proposed one-year Gold3 trial in China so that they can make an informed decision. A series of Zespri Town Hall online discussions are being held and NZKGI has created podcasts for growers which feature interviews with experts surrounding the Zespri Producer Vote. Zespri is also conducting roadshows on the Producer Vote and is going to visit Hawkes Bay on 3 June, 8.30am at the Napier War Memorial Conference Centre.
