The New Zealand avocado industry review 2020

An industry structure and governance review is taking place in 2020 and is currently underway. 

The purpose of the review is to engage New Zealand avocado industry members/stakeholders to consider whether the industry is set up in a way to support and enhance their investment in avocados, and whether the structures are in place across the New Zealand avocado industry to enable growers and other avocado businesses to enhance value, and optimise outcomes.

The review to date has included interviews with 40 growers and other industry stakeholders, and a survey of industry participants.

Please see project documents below for more information about the review process, emerging themes and a summary of grower discussion from Northland and Bay of Plenty workshop events.

Update from the Chair – March 2020

Thank you again for the responses and feedback that is continuing to come in on the industry structure review.

The board met for a full day to discuss the review recommendations and feedback at the end of February. We are listening. We understand that growers want change and want their voice heard, most specifically through the NZAGA. The board are taking into account all the voices they heard, through the surveys, interviews, and feedback since the recommendations from the independent review company. We will consider how we can implement change, bearing in mind that we need to look ahead at the next 5-10 years to future proof the industry.

The board are discussing how we can ensure the industry is fit for an increasingly challenging commercial environment. We acknowledge more work needs to be done including an action plan around this.

Some specific topics raised by the review that were discussed at the meeting included:

• Growers want to restore their voice as NZAGA and increase its visibility.
• Growers want NZAGA to be the holder of research and development, and the extension of that to growers
• Growers would like to see a smaller skills based board and have the best people in these roles
• There was discussion on the merits and constraints of operating under the horticulture export authority act, HEA. At this stage the board see no reason to change that as it protects growers by ensuring all stakeholders adhere to the rules

I will ensure that you are kept well informed about decisions being made and welcome further feedback by email or phone.

Linda Flegg, Chair NZAGA