• Voting is via postal ballot and opens on Thursday 4 March 2010. The physical voting papers must be received by NZ Kiwifruit Growers by 5 pm, Tuesday 30 March 2010.
• Growers vote for Forum members. “Grower” is defined as the owner of the land on which kiwifruit is grown.
• If you are a grower and supplied kiwifruit to ZESPRI in the most recently completed season (2009) you will receive voting paper/s.
• Growers are entitled to one vote for every hundred (100) trays of kiwifruit accepted for export by ZESPRI in the most recently completed season (2009).
• If you have top grafted to a new variety, voting entitlement can be adjusted to the last full year of production.
• If you lost production due to hail, voting entitlement can be adjusted to the last full year of production or an adjusted total established by insurance claim.
• You cast your total vote for one candidate on each voting paper (i.e. votes are not split)
• In the 2010 election:
• A district election is not required in some districts (where the number of nominations matched the number of vacancies).
• District elections are required in the Te Puke and Katikati districts (as there were more nominations than vacancies).
• There is an election required for the group representatives as there were more group nominations than vacancies.
• All Growers will receive a voting pack.
• If a District election is not required in your District, you will receive a Group Voting form – make one choice for your Group Representative.
• If an election is required in your District (Katikati and Te Puke only) your pack will contain a District AND a Group Voting Paper – make one choice on each form.
• If you are unsure about the voting papers, or you need to have your entitlement adjusted, please contact New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers on (07) 574 7139 or toll free 0800 232 505.

During the 2008 Harvest, NZKGI filmed and developed Best Practice for Harvesting DVD that will provide growers and post-harvest operators with a training tool to help train new growers, supervisors, contractors and pickers in the principles of best practice for harvesting.

The development of the DVD has highlighted the need to also provide some written fact sheets to provide extra information to growers and supervisors that could not be portrayed clearly in the DVD format. These fact sheets were sent to all growers along with a free copy of the DVD in late February 2009.

• Fact Sheet: Contracting Harvesting Services
• Fact Sheet: Managing Orchard Hazards During Picking
• Fact Sheet: Minimising Physical Damage During Harvest – GOLD
• Fact Sheet: Minimising Physical Damage During Harvest – GREEN
• Fact Sheet: Supervising the Harvest

Extra copies of the DVD and associated fact sheets are available from NZKGI's Office. Contact Christine McMillan for further information on 574 7139 or 0800 232 505.

17 NOVEMBER 2009 - NZ Master Contractors have received funding to disseminate the lessons from the Productivity Project over the next 9 months.

The funding allows for up to 15 Contractors or Growers employing large labour teams, to participate in the "Business Improvement Programme" which will allow a business coach to work with them for up to 30 hours over a 9 month period to help develop their business and improve productivity and profitability within their business.

As there is significant benefit to each business owner, and only 15 places (11 of which are available for the Bay of Plenty Region), there is an investment required from each participant $900+ GST (only $25 per week over the programme duration).

Available for download below is a flier that NZ Master Contractors Incorporated have developed. The cut off date for applications is 28 November 2009 with the programme starting on 1 December and finish by mid July 2010.

Anyone who wants to know more about the benefits of the programme should call Linda Harley on (027) 436 9134.

• International Flights have resumed at Hamilton and start at Rotorua early December.
• The Minister cannot stop an airport going international.
• MAF Biosecurity is to conduct a review of the fruit fly surveillance programme – part of the motivation is cost based as this is the most expensive programme that MAF run. Kiwifruit industry to be represented by Roger Gilbertson from ZESPRI on the review team.
• We are still trying to get full disclosure of the passenger checking measures from MAF for Rotorua Airport.
• We are concerned what will happen under the targeted passenger programme that MAF has announced.
• We are particularly concerned to see that all baggage goes through X-RAY and that Beagles are used. (Beagles are better than X-RAY MAF's trials have disclosed).
• The option of the industry adopting a Beagle for Rotorua airport was discussed by NZKGI’s Forum last week – what do you think about this?
• Click on the attachment below for more details – newspaper report and details about MAF’s trapping programme and fruit fly incursion response.

19 AUGUST 2009 - Growers and spray applicators are reminded of their responsibilities when it comes to safe spray practice. A copy of the spray wise wallchart is available for download by clicking on the link below.

ZESPRI have a Spray Information section on their Website The Canopy where you can access a variety of information to help you manage your spray programme better.

Notify Your Neighbours

• It is the responsibility of the orchard owner to notify neighbours of spraying operations – even if a contractor does the spraying.

Read the Label

• Avoid the use of super-wetters from the start of flowering onwards to reduce residue risk.

Calibrate Your Sprayer

• Use correct nozzle type and direction. Change nozzles and fan speed, not tractor speed, for different row spacing. Use the minimal fan speed required. Use low drift technology to reduce budbreak spray drift from budbreak sprays.

Spray Under Ideal Conditions

• Use weather forecast services to plan applications. Do not spray in perfectly still or windy conditions (wind speed < 14km/hr).

Signage

• Always use appropriate and prominently displayed signage.

Use Shelter Belts

• Plant evergreen shelter on boundaries, especially road frontages.

Ensure Bee Safety

• Use bee safe products.

Use the NZKGI Hotline

• Report incorrect spray practices, which put the whole industry at risk.
Phone 0800 232 505 or Environment Bay of Plenty on 0800 738 393.

SEPTEMBER 2009 - Powerco have supplied us with a couple of brochures to promote safety around overhead powerlines while working on orchards. Powerco advise that every year there is at least one fatality resulting from accidental contact with overhead powerlines while working on orchards. Overhead lines can become just another feature of the landscape but disregarding them can be deadly.

Copies of these brochures are available for download below.