Nadine Tunley, who has led Horticulture NZ since June 2021, will resign as chief executive, effective from the end of August. She said the time is right for someone with fresh energy to lead the producer group, given it now has a new strategy and faces a commodity levy referendum over the next two months.
She released a statement, saying: "It's been a huge honour and privilege to have led HortNZ. When I was appointed in 2021, New Zealand and the world were emerging from the first round of a global pandemic and no one could have foreseen the ongoing challenges ahead including global supply chain issues, inflation and cyclones Hale and Gabrielle.
Through those difficult times and through my 30 years' experience in the primary sector, a real highlight for me has been the opportunity to engage with a wide and diverse group of growers, getting to see their hard work and passion for their product and the camaraderie and community. That has never been more evident than during the cyclones last year.
I share that passion and it is a big part of what has inspired and driven me in this role to address the issues that matter to growers and their communities.
I am leaving with a better understanding of the diversity in our sector and that understanding will help me continue to support the industry in future roles.
My parting message to you all is to work together and use this diversity to your advantage. As a collective, growers have so much more to offer New Zealand and the global food system. Take your place in the food and fibre sector – it is well earned!
A thriving horticulture sector is so important - not just to the New Zealand economy but, more importantly, to the health of the nation.
Fresh fruit and vegetables are essential nutrition - without a healthy horticulture sector the health of the country would suffer. Providing health and nutrition to New Zealand and the Pacific builds the platform for all primary sector exports to stand on when we sell our products to the world – showing international consumers that we're not just looking after the markets but our own people too.
HortNZ has spearheaded the sector's advocacy and I'm proud of the valuable contribution the team has made fighting for the interests of growers.
As an industry group, we have to work within a central government framework that is often rigid. Our role in discussions with Ministers and officials is to do what's best for growers. We hear from you; we know what issues are important to you.
We may not always be successful in securing the ultimate outcome for growers – we don't have ultimate power after all - but the team works tirelessly for the best outcomes that we can possibly achieve. I know that this is what drives them and they work constantly behind the scenes for the good of the sector.
Never has that been more evident than the days and weeks following Cyclone Gabrielle. We needed to be creative and worked closely with the government of the day, sometimes thumping the table and other times listening.
I recall an evening meeting with then-Ministers Grant Robertson and Damien O'Connor. We were really frank about the situation in the regions and the help that growers needed. Although many were not happy with the Government's response, we did secure a cyclone recovery package that has enabled many businesses to carry on, and in doing so, provide employment for families in their regions.
Our advocacy also extends to local government where we work hard to educate officials on the realities of the sector. HortNZ often plays the role of a translator, which can be challenging, but also extremely rewarding
As I prepare to finish up in this role, I see some ongoing challenges facing the sector and that's why HortNZ has set three top priorities - water, climate change and adaptation, and food security and supply.
Water is a critical resource for growing. Growers need certainty over water supply if they are to invest and increase production. The team are advocating strongly for policy settings that support expansion of, and investment in, water storage.
Across the globe and in New Zealand, the notion of food security has become increasingly important.
We are advocating for policy and regulatory settings that enable growers to provide a reliable and resilient supply of fresh fruit and vegetables and contribute positively to New Zealand's food security, health and our and economy.
HortNZ is working on growers' behalf to find more efficient ways of doing things and to share best practice to reduce their costs. And we are focused on boosting horticulture's social licence to operate.
As a levy group, we need to have the confidence of the majority and it has been satisfying to round off my tenure with a significant turn-out of growers voting in the recent levy referendum, providing a very strong mandate for the work of the organisation.
But we also heard the calls for less duplication across different product groups and more focus on the strength of a united voice for all of horticulture. The team will continue to look at more ways of working better together to ensure growers get the most efficient and effective return on your levy investment.
Alongside growers, it has been a huge privilege working with the people in this organisation. Out of all my years in the sector, I am probably most proud of this team - especially my senior leaders – for their passion, tenacity, sense of purpose and lack of ego.
It is because of this team that I can move on from my time as chief executive with confidence. I will miss HortNZ considerably, but I want you to know that you have a small group of great leaders who will continue to work in your best interests.
I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our annual conference in August. For those unable to be there, thank you for your unwavering commitment to the production of the world's best produce."
Source: hortnz.co.nz