The independent review of the summerfruit industry is now underway, with interviews expected to start in Hawke’s Bay later this month (and into January), and with the grower interviews in Central Otago expected to commence in early February. In addition, interviews will be scheduled with a number of other product groups within the wider horticulture sector, as well as interviews with regulators (MPI and MBIE), HEA, and Hort NZ.
The driving force behind the review is the desire of the Summerfruit NZ Board to gather enough data (predominantly from levy payers) to enable them to design/refine the organisation so that it remains 'Fit for purpose in a changing world'. The review will provide input on governance, organisational capability requirements and future directions.
It is important to realise that, while the review focuses on the future and will hopefully move things usefully towards an organisation that is fit for purpose in a changing world, it is not a silver bullet. No review is ever going to get everything right to everyone’s satisfaction.