YOUR INDUSTRY
NZKGI new CEO Colin Bond (right) with Mark Mayston, chairman of NZKGI
Intense listening and learning curve for new CEO Colin Bond has been an orchardist for six years but since his appointment as chief executive of New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc (NZKGI) in May he’s been on an intensive learning curve about the wider industry. By Elaine Fisher With his wife Michelle, Colin owns a small kiwifruit orchard at Te Puna near Tauranga and until his recent appointment, was ANZ bank’s Bay of Plenty regional manager – commercial and agriculture. “I know a little about the industry from six years of orchard ownership, but there are dozens of growers with more than 40 years’ experience in the industry, so it is important I learn from their experience, as well as that of the NZKGI executive, forum members and staff to more fully understand the industry and make decisions about where NZKGI goes next. To do 38
The ORCHARDIST : JULY 2021
that I’ve done a lot of listening during the first few weeks in the job.” That listening included attending grower roadshows in Tauranga, Te Puke and Katikati in June. “The comments, concerns and questions at those meetings were valid and thought provoking.” Among other issues, growers expressed concern about the impact on the New Zealand industry of illegally planted G3 kiwifruit in China, this season’s soft fruit, and the shortage of labour.
