Highlights from Conference '09
'Powered by People'
Industry Strategy Launched
The horticulture industry strategy for the next decade 'Growing a New Future' was officially launched by Horticulture New Zealand president Andrew Fenton, at the HortNZ conference in Christchurch on Wednesday, July 22. More than 500 delegates and representatives from local government, business, technology, science and the media attended.
Every HortNZ grower (that's about 6,600 people) should have received a copy of the 'Strategy Workbook' with their copy of either The Orchardist or Grower magazines in August. Copies of the entire 90-page document are available on request, email info@hortnz.co.nz. The workbook contains the Strategy's introduction, executive summary, background and the 'health check' all growers are encouraged to do for their businesses.
At the conference dinner on Wednesday evening the Prime Minister John Key made a speech which was enthusiastic about horticulture and its contribution to the nation's economy. On the downside he confirmed there will be changes made to border protection at the trans-Tasman border and that his government does not support mandatory country of origin labelling. Read the speech here.
Bledisloe Cup Winner - Ron Becroft
Long serving industry advocate, chairman of United Fresh and former president of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation, Ron Becroft, was awarded the horticulture industry's premier award, the Bledisloe Cup, at the HortNZ conference dinner on Wednesday evening. Ron and his wife Colleen were presented with the cup by the Minister of Agriculture, David Carter.
Young Grower of the Year Winner
The inaugural Young Grower of the Year title was won by Hawke's Bay pipfruit grower Kevin McInnes. Kevin, 20, works for C A Wake.
Prime Minister John Key mingles with growers before the conference dinner
Canterbury tomato grower and HortNZ vice president Brian Gargiulo with Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower and HortNZ president Andrew Fenton, taking a break at Conference '09, Christchurch.
Minister of Agriculture David Carter presented the horticulture industry's premier award, the Bledisloe Cup, to Ron Becroft and his wife Colleen at the HortNZ Conference dinner on Wednesday July 22, 2009
HortNZ director David Eder with blackcurrant products
Team Talk CEO David Ware explained the facts of life with the future impact of new technologies in a conference workshop
Professor Gareth Edwards-Jones, on the topic of the UK approach to carbon footprinting
Italian food ambassador Gianluigi Zenti told the conference about the importance of telling a story around our products that consumers will respond positively to
New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens and Deloitte partner Alasdiar MacLeod swap notes about 'people power'
Taking a break at the HortNZ stand
Andrew Fenton welcomes Prime Minister John Key to the HortNZ Conference
Fresh Vegetable product group chairman Keith Vallabh presents the vegetable industry Award of Merit to Howe Young
Long serving 5 + a Day chairman Ron Becroft with his wife Colleen and the Bledisloe Cup
The Zespri and Kiwifruit Growers Inc stand at the HortNZ conference
Andrew Fenton and the Horticulture Industry Strategy 'Growing a New Future', July 2009
VegFed council, 22/07/09, Christchurch (from left) Wim Zwart, fresh tomatoes; Alan Newton, process; Debbie Hewitt, asparagus; Brain Gargiulo, chairman; Peter Silcock, chief executive; Doug Whitfield, kabocha & Keith Vallabh, fresh vegetables
Young Grower of the Year, Kevin McInnes
Young Vegetable Grower of the Year, Nigel McCartin
