I want to start by extending a big thank you to all the growers who participated in the recent commodity levy referendum. Your engagement and the level of support for the levy and the continued activities of Summerfruit NZ were extremely heartening.
The final, independently audited results show a strong mandate from our members. The "yes" vote was successful with 99 growers, representing 94.29% of the headcount, and a significant 96.31% of the weighted value of sales. This result, with 105 votes received from 219 eligible growers, demonstrates the industry's commitment to our collective future.
The consultation process leading up to this vote was incredibly valuable. It provided a platform for thought-provoking discussions, and we listened carefully to your concerns. Common themes that emerged included the ongoing margin squeeze our industry is facing, as on-orchard input costs continue to rise faster than market returns for our fruit. We also heard about the increasing risk of losing pest and disease management options due to resistance and the withdrawal of some historic chemicals, with long lead times for replacements. The lack of innovation in rootstocks was also a concern, as were the complexity and cost of the RSE scheme and significant worries about future access to water and other regulatory settings that add cost and impact the right to farm. Finally, you reinforced the importance of protecting the industry from biosecurity risks and ensuring we maintain and grow access to our key export markets. I want to assure you that the risks and opportunities you raised will be central to our future workstreams.
With the levy vote now concluded, we are preparing an application to the Minister of Agriculture to renew the commodity levy for another six years, starting in August 2026, when the current order expires. As I've said to many of you during our consultations, I want the levy to feel like a genuine investment in the future prosperity of our industry and your growing operations—not just another cost or tax. This is extremely important to me.
Celebrating an Industry Leader
It was great to see a number of familiar faces at the recent HortNZ and RSE conference in Wellington. The awards dinner was a special occasion, where our very own Stu Burns was made a HortNZ Life Member. This honour is well-deserved, recognising Stu's longstanding advocacy for growers including his lengthy service on the Summerfruit NZ Board which commenced in 2014. Stu is a true independent thinker and an innovator who generously shares his knowledge. We worked hard to keep this accolade a secret, and I want to extend a special thanks to his wife, Pam, for supporting us. It was a privilege to celebrate this acknowledgement of his significant contributions to our industry.
A New Opportunity and the Season Ahead
I’m delighted to share that the board has resurrected an exciting opportunity to bring an observer onto the Summerfruit NZ board. This one-year role for the 2026 calendar year will encompass a full cycle of meetings, including the 2026 AGM. It's a fantastic chance for an aspiring leader to gain valuable insight into the workings of our organisation, enhance their leadership skills, and develop a broader understanding of the key issues and opportunities facing our industry. There is more information, including a link to the application form further down in the body of the newsletter.
Finally, as we look toward the upcoming season, I wish all growers the very best as your trees begin to bloom. Let’s hope the frosts stay away and we move toward a productive and prosperous season.