The kiwifruit industry is being asked once again to nominate its finest leaders for the prestigious 2017 Hayward Medal award. The kiwifruit Industry Advisory Council (IAC) established the pan-industry Fresh Carriers Hayward Medal in 2012 to honour the people who set up and led the industry to become New Zealand's largest horticultural export.
IAC chairman Paul Jones explains the New Zealand industry is on track to more than double sales to $4.5 billion by 2025 and he's asking people right across the industry to nominate those people who've been a key part of this success.
"The industry gala dinner this year, where the medal will be presented, marks the 20th anniversary of the Zespri brand, so this is a pretty special award for us.
We're calling on our colleagues to nominate the people they think have made a defining contribution right across the fields of leadership, innovation and technology to the industry success we see today, 20 years on from setting up our world-class brand.
"Kiwifruit is New Zealand's largest horticultural export, employing around 18,000 people throughout the season, and we've got some of the best people in the country on our team.
"We're asking for nominations now because the award will be presented at the industry's gala dinner next year and we want to make sure that everyone across the industry has the chance to submit their nominations before taking their summer break," says Mr Jones.
Takao Takeshige, president of award-sponsor Fresh Carriers, says the shipping company is proud to continue its support of the kiwifruit industry award.
"In the 30 years our company has been shipping New Zealand kiwifruit to Japan, we have worked with many fine people in the kiwifruit industry and we are very honoured to present the Fresh Carriers Hayward Medal to the winner at the Hayward Medal Dinner," says Takeshige-san.
Last year Sir Brian Elwood was awarded the Fresh Carriers Hayward Medal in recognition of the leadership he displayed as chairman of industry regulator Kiwifruit New Zealand (KNZ) over 10 years.
Nominations close on December 9. The winner will be announced at the gala dinner which follows the kiwifruit industry conference Momentum early next year.
Source: Te Puke Times/nzherald.co.nz
