NZKGI was formed following the downturn in the kiwifruit industry in 1993 to give growers their own organisation to develop a secure and stable kiwifruit industry. NZKGI represents kiwifruit growers and gives growers their own voice in industry and government decision making.
The NZ Kiwifruit Growers Forum consists of 17 Regional representatives, 1 Maori Forum Representative and 9 Supply Entity Representatives. Forum members are elected every three years by all kiwifruit growers via a postal ballot. The Forum members in turn elect a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Executive Committee.
| Name | Location | Portfolio | |
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| Karen Pickford | Northland |
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| Monty Spencer | Auckland |
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| Mark Gardiner | Waikato | ||
| Andrew Dawson | Katikati | ||
| Sean Carnachan | Katikati | ||
| Mike Smith | Tauranga | ||
| Whetu Rolleston | Tauranga | Communications, External Relations
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| Helen Allan | Te Puke | Industry Stability, Labour & Education
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| Simon Cook | Te Puke | ||
| Tammy Hill | Te Puke |
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| Ross Bawden | Te Puke | ||
| Jarrod Teddy | Whakatane | ||
| Chris Anstis | Opotiki | ||
| Doug Brown | Poverty Bay | ||
| Richard Pentreath | Hawkes Bay/Lower North Island | ||
| Paul Thomas | South Island | ||
| Mark Mayston | Grower Entity - Apata | ||
| Tony Leicester | Grower Entity - DMS | ||
| Robert Humphries | Grower Entity - Eastpack | ||
| Rob Craig | Grower Entity - G6 | ||
| Jessica Smith | Grower Entity - Iwi | ||
| Phil Jones | Grower Entity - Less than 4% | ||
| Sally Gardiner | Grower Entity - MPAC | ||
| Mike Butcher | Grower Entity - OPAC | ||
| Debbie Oakley | Grower Entity - Seeka | ||
| Debbie Robinson | Grower Entity - Trevelyan's |
The Executive Committee supports the staff to carry out the day-to-day affairs of NZKGI in accordance with its aims and objectives and to ensure the delivery of transparent, robust, useful and timely reporting to growers.
NZKGI staff manage the day-to-day activity to support growers across the following six key portfolios: Labour and Education, Performance, Industry Stability, Communications, Organisational Management and External Relations.
NIKKI JOHNSON | Chief Executive
Nikki leads the team at NZKGI to achieve its mission. She has a technical background with plant science training underpinning over 20 years’ experience in the horticultural and arable industries. Nikki’s specialised skills include strategic industry management, risk assessment and agrichemical registration policy. In addition to Nikki’s role as CEO, she also manages NZKGI’s Labour, Performance, Industry Stability and Organisational Management portfolios.
Dr MIKE MURPHY | Communications Manager
Mike’s central role in this newly created position is to implement his strategy to communicate for and to New Zealand’s kiwifruit growers. His responsibilities include the Communications portfolio.
RENEE FRITCHLEY | Project Coordinator
Renee is responsible for key projects within the education portfolio including Career Expos, the Kiwifruit Book, the Bay of Plenty Young Fruit Grower Competition and Cultivate Your Career. Renee provides additional support services across all other portfolios.
MARGOT COTTER | Performance & Supply Manager
Margot is responsible for developing and implementing independent monitoring activities and analysis to assist growers in having access to consistent, accurate and easy to understand data on industry performance including Zespri. Margot’s responsibilities include the management of the Performance portfolio.
SARAH CAMERON | Senior Policy Analyst
As NZKGI’s senior policy analyst, Sarah Cameron is responsible for consulting with stakeholders and other agencies as well as providing analysis, research and advice on policy changes. Sarah’s responsibilities involve the management of the External Relations portfolio which includes health and safety.
GAVIN STAGG | Labour Coordinator
Gavin’s appointment is a key part of the NZKGI’s Labour recruitment strategy. He is excited by the initiatives already underway and the opportunities to build a collaborative response to the labour demands. Gavin is responsible for managing seasonal recruitment initiatives in conjunction with growers, contractors and packhouses to ensure as much as possible is done to meet the sector’s worker requirements.
