Hi, my name is Simon Cook and along with my wife and three kids we grow both kiwifruit and avocados in Te Puke, in the Bay of Plenty. I am the third generation to grow kiwifruit on a property that has been in my family since 1950.

I have spent over 20 years as a grower and have been grateful for the lifestyle and the opportunities it has given me and my family. In the last 10 years I have sought to give back to this industry that I am so passionate about and have sought out numerous opportunities to share knowledge or advocate on behalf of growers. Key to this was the 10 years I served as a forum member of New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI) including time on the Executive Committee.

I have also been a Director of Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH) the kiwifruit industry’s biosecurity body for eight years and Chair for the last two. This role has enabled me to grow strong networks both in Wellington and across the horticulture industry. I have also been a grower director of the kiwifruit industry supply entity Trevelyan Growers Limited for over a decade and currently serve as deputy Chair.

My time with both NZKGI and KVH has given me a thorough understanding of the vitally important role played by advocacy bodies like HortNZ at both the regional and national level engaging with councils and government.

I also owned and ran a kiwifruit and avocado spray contracting company for over 20 years. This experience has given me a strong appreciation for the ongoing need for access to new and existing chemicals and the social licence that is vital for growers to continue to use these tools. I was a key part of both the governance panel, and as a presenter, for the kiwifruit industry’s successful response to the EPA review of hydrogen cyanamide.

In 2018 I was awarded a Nuffield scholarship and had the opportunity to travel globally studying horticulture and agriculture in all its many forms.

Whether it’s labour supply, access to water or access to agrichemicals, all growers across the horticultural spectrum need the strong support and leadership from our combined peak industry body HortNZ.

I believe my governance experience, coupled with the extensive time I have spent working with advocacy bodies will allow me, with your support, to make a strong contribution to the future of HortNZ.