Vegetables New Zealand Inc - AGM and Conference Papers 23rd - 25th July 2018 Air Force Museum, Christchurch - Vegetables NZ
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Vegetables New Zealand Inc. 2018 AGM and Conference Papers 23rd – 25th July 2018 Air Force Museum, Christchurch
2018 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
AIR FORCE MUSEUM, WIGRAM
CHRISTCHURCH
AGENDA
Monday 23 July
4:30pm Commence VNZ and VNZI COMBINED ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Air Force Museum, Christchurch
Welcome and Introductions
• Apologies, Proxies and Procedural Motions
• Confirmation of 2017 AGM Draft Minutes and Matters Arising (pages 4 - 8)
4:35pm Chairman’s Address – Andre de Bruin (pages 9 - 11)
4:45pm VNZ (Product Group) and Vegetables NZ Inc. Financial Statements 2017/2018
(pages 12 - 21)
VNZI Budget 2018/2019 (pages 22 - 23)
4:55pm Biosecurity Operational Agreements & Biosecurity Levy for Fresh Vegetables
(attachment)
5:05pm Remits (pages 24 - 25)
5:10pm Confirm newly elected Directors
5:15pm Life Member Award Presentation
5:25pm General Business
• VNZI Commodity Levy Referendum Proposal/Voting process
• Matters arising from the meeting
5:30pm Biosecurity Levy Voting Results
5:35pm Conclude 2018 VNZ and VNZI Combined Annual General Meeting
6:00pm Welcome drinks sponsored by United Fresh
Vegetables NZ Inc.
2018 AGM & Conference Papers 1
HORTICULTURE CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
also available on http://www.confer.nz/hortnz2018/programme/
Monday 23 July
12:00pm-7:30pm Registration Open 11:00am-6:00pm Field Trips
1:00pm-1:40pm Sustainable Soil and Nutrient Management –
Michael Hedley, Massey University
1:40pm-2:20pm The Sustainable Agro-Ecosystems – Stephen Thomas,
Plant & Food Research
2:20pm-3:00pm Seeds and the Future – Charlotte Connoley, South
Pacific Seeds NZ
3:00pm-3:30pm Pea Research & Development Update – David
Hadfield & John Seymour, Process Vegetables NZ
and Bruce Searle, Plant & Food Research
4:00pm-4:30pm Process Vegetables NZ AGM NZ Apples & Pears AGM
4:30pm-5:35pm Vegetables NZ AGM
5:00pm-5:30pm Tomatoes NZ AGM
6:00pm-7:30pm Welcome Drinks sponsored by United Fresh
7:30pm Vegetable Industry Dinner
Tuesday 24 July
8:00am-6:00pm Registration Open
8:45am-9:15am Powhiri & Conference Opening Keynote address – Scott
Davidson, Countdown
9:15am-10:15am New Zealand growers telling their stories
10:15am-11:00am Constraints on growing and overcoming them
11:00am-11:45am Morning Tea
11:45am-1:00pm The post-pesticide age
1:00pm-2:30pm Lunch 2:00pm-3:30pm
NZGAP AGM
Vegetables NZ Inc.
2018 AGM & Conference Papers 2
2:30pm-3:30pm Production issues – Robots – People
3:30pm-4:00pm Primary ITP Launch
4:00pm-5:00pm Horticulture New Zealand AGM
6:30pm-7:00pm Cocktail Function sponsored by Plant & Food Research
7:00pm-late Gala Dinner & Awards night – sponsored by T&G Global
Wednesday 25 July
8:00am-9:00am Women in Horticulture
9:00am-11:00am Distribution and Supermarkets
11:00am-11:45am Morning Tea
11:45am-1:00pm The Consumer and the Story
1:00pm-2:00pm Close of Conference & Lunch
Vegetables NZ Inc.
2018 AGM & Conference Papers 3
VEGETABLES NEW ZEALAND INC.
2017 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
WEDNESDAY 12 JULY 2017
1:00PM – 2:00PM
DRAFT MINUTES
Vegetables NZ Inc Chairman, Andre de Bruin, presided over the 47 attendees.
WELCOME
The Chair welcomed members and opened the meeting.
The Chair thanked all sponsors, for without their support it would be impossible to run this event.
APOLOGIES
Apologies received from:
Russell Jordon (VNZ Life Members) Tony Reynolds (Award of Merit Holder)
Ganpat (Patch) Hari (Brassica CAG) David Barton (Covered Crops CAG)
Troy Matthews (Covered Crops CAG) Ben Scott (Leafy CAG)
Raymond Jivan (Leafy CAG) Stephen Harnett (Allium CAG)
John Clarke (Allium CAG) Stuart Page (Allium CAG)
Pravin Hari (Stalks, Vines, Bulbs & Herbs CAG) Peter Kleven (Stalks, Vines, Bulbs & Herbs CAG)
Sue Deadman (Roots and Tubers CAG) Allen Lim (Brassica CAG)
Mike Arnold (Brassica CAG) Emma Clark (Leafy CAG)
Nick Archdale (Leafy CAG)
IT WAS RESOLVED that the apologies be accepted.
Kiran Hari / Armut Bhana
BEREAVEMENTS ACKNOWLEDGED
George Sue (Vegetable grower and long standing Secretary of the Tararua Growers District Association)
Jim Clayton (Vegetable and Potato grower member)
Donald Sutherland (Vegetable grower, D&J Sutherland, Bombay)
John Nicholson (Vegetable grower, Pukekohe)
Norm Wymer (Vegetable grower, Pukekohe)
Ganges Singh (Vegetable grower, Pukekohe)
Alan Lim (Vegetable grower, Pukekohe)
Des Antonovich (Vegetable grower, Pukekohe)
Dale Kung (Otaki)
There was a minute silence as a mark of respect for the fallen.
The new Accounting rules require VNZI, now as an Incorporated Society, to hold separate VNZ and
VNZI Annual General Meetings with separate Accounts until the next Levy Referendum is complete in
2019.
Vegetables NZ Inc.
2018 AGM & Conference Papers 4
VEGETABLES NEW ZEALAND (VNZ) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
CONFIRMATION OF 2016 VNZ ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING DRAFT MINUTES (pages 5 – 7 of the meeting
papers)
IT WAS RESOLVED that the draft Minutes of the VNZ Annual General Meeting held in Nelson on 3 August
2016 were a true and accurate record.
Doug Nilsson / Mark O’Connor
There were no matters raised for discussion.
VNZ ACCOUNTS 2016 / 2017 (page 8 of the meeting papers)
Financials for year-end Actual Income $1,222,012 and Expenses $1,117,389 and a balance of $104,623; that
balance is transferred to Reserves under the Horticulture NZ account.
IT WAS RESOLVED that the audited VNZ financial accounts for the year ended 31 March 2017 were accepted.
Mark O’Connor / Allan Noble
VNZ RESOLUTION (page 9 of the meeting papers)
Resolution - That the 2017 / 2018 year levy rate for the purposes of the Commodity Levies (Vegetables and
Fruit) Order 2013 for fresh vegetables remain at 0.30% of the gross sales value at the ‘first point of sale’ OR
‘FOB’ OR the ‘notional process’ value.
Explanatory information - The Commodity levies (Vegetable and Fruit) Order 2013 allows a maximum rate
for fresh vegetables at 0.30% of the gross sales value at the first point of sale OR FOB value OR notional value.
At the AGM growers may set any rate up to the maximum for the next calendar year. The current rate is for
fresh vegetables at 0.30% of the gross sales value at the first point of sale OR FOV value OR notional process
value.
The Board’s recommendation is that the levy rate be set and continue at the maximum for the 2017 / 2018
year to meet the commitments identified in Vegetables NZ Inc budget.
IT WAS RESOLVED that the VNZ Levy rate for the 2017 / 2018 financial year remain at 0.30%.
Leanne Roberts / John Murphy
The Vegetables New Zealand (VNZ) Annual General Meeting was declared closed.
Vegetables NZ Inc.
2018 AGM & Conference Papers 5
VEGETABLES NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED (VNZI) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
CONFIRMATION OF THE 2016 VEGETABLES NZ INCORPORATED DRAFT MINUTES (pages 10 – 15 of the
meeting papers)
There were no matters raised for discussion.
IT WAS RESOLVED that the Minutes of the VNZ Incorporated Annual General Meeting held in Nelson on 3
August 2016 were a true and accurate record.
John Murphy / Doug Nilsson
VNZI Chairman’s Report 2017 (pages 16 – 20 of the meeting papers)
Key points:
Industry Collaboration:
With the signing of the GIA Deed, the Fruit fly Operational Agreement (FFOA), and the development of the
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) OA, VNZI have achieved some major milestones this year;
Promotions:
A new Strategic Plan has been developed, and VNZI have championed the ‘Kids can Cook’ project; Potatoes
NZ have chosen to withdraw from Vegetables.co.nz this year, and the current members are now
TomatoesNZ, Onions NZ and VNZI;
Research:
VNZI have had a strong focus on the VR&I Board and their many projects; Stuart Davis’ contribution and
leadership in the research area was acknowledged; VNZI have had a pivotal role in the reshaped NZGAP
governance model;
People:
The Chair thanked the VNZI Board for their positive and active contribution and input; John Seymour and
Lynda Banks for their ‘steady hand’ in challenging areas this year, and finally a big thank you to all our growers
for the massive in-kind contributions made this year;
IT WAS RESOLVED that the Chairman’s Report for 2017 was accepted.
Mike Parker / Kiran Hari
VNZI 2016 / 2017 ANNUAL ACCOUNTS SUMMARY
The Audited Accounts for 2016 / 2017 are now available and distributed at the meeting; the Audited Accounts
were not included in the meeting papers due to a number of changes required by the Auditors after the 2017
VNZI AGM papers went to print.
At the 2016 Annual General Meeting the Audited Financial Statements for VNZI for the year 2015 / 2016 were
not moved or seconded.
IT WAS RESOLVED that the Audited Financial Statement for the VNZI Accounts for the 2015 / 2016 year was
accepted.
Kiran Hari / Mark O’Connor
Vegetables NZ Inc.
2018 AGM & Conference Papers 6
IT WAS RESOLVED that the Audited Financial Statement for the VNZI Accounts for 2016 / 2017 year was
accepted.
Allan Noble / Kiran Hari
VNZI 2017 / 2018 ANNUAL BUDGET FORECAST
An updated version of the 2017 / 2018 Annual Budget Forecast was distributed; only change to the published
Budget on page 21 of the meeting papers is the Interest on Reserves and Sundry zero balance, this is due to
Reserves and interest being held in the HortNZ/VNZ Accounts and no longer held in the VNZI Accounts;
1. Sales value: As VNZ Inc. growers have a solid 60% incremental growth over the past 10 years (2007 =
$250M to 2017 = $398M). The sales value for 2017/18 is forecast at $400M which is $2M more than
the actual sales of $398M last year (but $20M higher than the previous year’s forecast of $380M).
9. Income - Levy: The levy income of $1,160,000 budgeted for 2017/18 is between last year’s forecasted
levy income of $1,112,000 and last year’s actual income of $1,167,819.
Note: that the Income on Line 8. (“Interest on Reserves”) is now shown as zero.
19. Industry Research & Development: The forecast of $454k is higher than last years $426k spend. This
is due to a greater number of new VNZ Inc. projects now being managed by the V R & I Board ensuring
that the VNZI Board achieve a greater return on their growers R & D investment.
(Examples are for RMA science and data support projects and the proposed $8M PGP funded project
27. Meetings and Travel PG Expenditure: This year’s budget has increased to $154k (up $14k) due to an
increase in planned additional travel and grower visits to consult with growers on the next years levy
referendum and the GIA / Biosecurity levy.
41. Office & Communications: Increased forecast of $38k to $316k for an increase in Levy referendum
costs, support staff and auditor costs.
45. Promotions: The funding for Vegetables.co.nz activities will decrease by $12k due to a new agreement
between VNZI and Vegetables.co.nz that will be more equitable. VNZI Inc. will provide a fixed
contribution of $280k (previously the funding was 0.1% of the domestic levy). Remaining promotional
funds will be spent directly on VNZ Inc. promotional activities or held in VNZI’s Reserves.
47. Total Expenses: Are forecasted $1,234,000 and Income at $1,160,000.
48. Surplus / Deficit Balance: The result is a forecasted deficit of (minus) - $74k but any deficit amount will
be funded from VNZI Reserves.
Last year forecast deficit was - $133k but achieved a surplus of $104,623.
Note: Vegetables NZ reserves total $972,793 as at March 31st 2017.
IT WAS RESOLVED that the VNZI Forecast Budget for 2017 / 2018 were accepted.
John Murphy / Mike Parker
IT WAS RESOLVED that BDO Wellington be the appointed Auditors for VNZI for the 2017 / 2018 financial year
were accepted.
Doug Nilsson / Amrut Bhana
Vegetables NZ Inc.
2018 AGM & Conference Papers 7
CONFIRMATION OF VEGETABLES NZ INC BOARD NOMINATIONS
Positions for Nomination: Vegetables NZ Inc. Board Directors
o ANDRE DE BRUIN (Director) - Dargaville, retires by rotation, is available for re-election, is deemed to be
nominated and will be re-elected if there is no opposing candidate.
o STUART DAVIS (Director) - Pukekohe, retires by rotation, is available for re-election, is deemed to be
nominated and will be re-elected if there is no opposing candidate.
As no other nominations were received John Seymour declared ANDRE DE BRUIN and STUART DAVIS are re-
elected as Directors for VNZ Inc and congratulations to Andre and Stuart.
A resolution was tabled and passed at the 2016 VNZI Annual General Meeting amending the process for the
election of the VNZI Chair to be:
“At the first VNZI Board meeting held following the AGM, the Directors will elect from amongst the Directors
the VNZI Chair, to hold office from the conclusion of the Board meeting at which they are elected until the
conclusion of the Board meeting held following the next AGM, subject to the VNZI Rules.”
GENERAL BUSINESS
Government Industry Agreement
As you will be aware VNZ Inc. after seeking mandate from our members, signed the GIA Deed last year, along
with other key signatories Kiwifruit NZ, Pipfruit NZ, Avocados NZ. Onions NZ, Tomatoes NZ, Citrus NZ.
Potatoes NZ and NZ Winegrowers Inc).
Being a signatory to the OA’s ensures that the PG’s have an equal vote in the decision making process and
included in determining the allocated recovery costs including the “fiscal caps” for each PG
As a GIA Deed partner - VNZ Inc. has also signed the Fruit Fly Operational Agreement (FF OA) earlier this year
along with the other key signatories.
The next Operational Agreement to be signed, after lengthy negotiations with MPI is the Brown Marmorated
Stink Bug OA, which VNZ Inc. will be signing at this Horticulture Conference along with a number of the other
key signatories.
Understandably there is always considerable concern - regarding the cost of biosecurity, GIA and OA
Agreements and therefore the following example should be of some help to put some context around the
potential costs.
An example of costs was provided for the BMSB public industry cost share scenario.
In the case of a full BMSB incursion with a full response estimated at $13M - MPI’s contribution would be
92% including non-signatories - with the remaining 8% of cost would be distributed across all of the affected
PG’s.
In this case the BMSB OA cost to VNZ Inc growers would be up to $75K (also the fiscal cap) - for our 900
grower members this would be an average of $83 per grower.
As there were no further General Business matters raised for discussion the Chair declared the 2017 VNZI
Annual General Meeting closed at 1:45pm.
Vegetables NZ Inc.
2018 AGM & Conference Papers 8
Vegetables New Zealand Incorporated (VNZI)
Chairman’s Annual Report - 2018
This is an exciting time to be involved in Vegetables NZ Inc. (VNZI). Using your levy, the VNZI board has been
able to actively make a positive difference for you, our growers.
This is levy referendum year where growers need to vote to continue the levy for the next 6 years. The VNZI
board has put a lot of consideration into the levy setting process to ensure that it is set at a level that we are
able to operate effectively but collect no more than we require. For that reason we have proposed to keep
the commodity levy at its present level. (0.3% of the sale value at the first point of sale for domestic sales,
and 0.2% for export sales.)
With a successful levy vote later this year we are determined to build on the past work of VNZI to support
our growers well into the future.
It is imperative that both VNZI and Horticulture NZ (HortNZ) retain their separate levies. HortNZ is a pan
industry organisation with a focused objective to lobby on national issues that could potentially affect all
commercial growers. VNZI provides significant funding, management and resources for work in relation to
our vegetable crops that would otherwise not be undertaken or accomplished. This is particularly important
in such areas as:
• Research and science support
• Export market development
• Fresh vegetable promotional activity
• Quality assurance
• Education and training
• Biosecurity activities
Research
VNZI is responsible for developing, funding and managing research projects to improve crop yields, quality
and science support for resource management and compliance negotiations. VNZI provides significant
financial and strategic support to research either directly through VNZI administered projects on single crop
focused projects, or via the V R & I Board on multi crop projects.
VNZI & Vegetables Research & Innovation (VR & I) Board partnership
VNZI invested $242,000 last year in specific VNZI projects with an additional $733,000 from external funders.
Also VNZI, through the VR&I board, has invested an additional $185,000 with our V R & I partners on multi-
product group research projects. Since the last levy referendum the VNZI Board has invested more than
$1.25m with an additional $3m in external government funding, enabling the successful completion of more
than 30 research projects, including the co-funding and support for the successful Great White Butterfly
eradication program.
Previous and current projects include:
• Nutrient management for improved vegetable production
• Brassica pest, natural diseases and disorders IPM manual Update
• Fluxmeter use to determine the water uptake of crops
• Maximising the value of irrigation techniques to reduce cost and wastage
• Nitrogen "Quick Test" Module testing
Vegetables NZ Inc.
2018 AGM & Conference Papers 9• Silt and topsoil run-off management • PGP Long term sustainable pest management for crop protection • Continued monitoring of biosecurity risks for crop protection • Water – Sanitiser, discharge monitoring for improved crop quality and yield • Reassessment of agrichemicals for long term solutions to pest, disease and virus control • Tamarixia trials and release as an alternative to agrichemical controls • Fruit Fly and Brown Marmorated Stink Bug surveillance and management • Cadmium management levels in Leafy greens • Virus control management in Lettuce crops • White Fly control and in Covered Crops Research projects presently have a real focus on ensuring that our growers can continue to operate safe sustainable and effective businesses in an increasingly legislated environment. VNZI - Agrichemical Reassessment Program and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) VNZI will continue to invest and manage a complex process for collating agrichemical data use relating to over 50 vegetable crops. VNZI supports submissions to the EPA for a range of agrichemicals used by vegetable growers e.g. the Paraquat reassessment process that started this year. VNZI - RMA (Resource Management Act) VNZI allocate levy funding for the researching of RMA and NRE support data and other information used in submissions to Government specifically on behalf of fresh vegetable growers. This RMA support data is extremely important for vegetable growers as it underpins a lot of the work the HortNZ RMA team does with Regional Councils on behalf of our growers. Promotion - The VNZI / Vegetables.co.nz Partnership Vegetables New Zealand Inc. has funded over $300,000 per year through Vegetables.co.nz for the past six years towards joint fresh vegetable promotional activities. Vegetables.co.nz develops, sources and provides extensive vegetable promotional material for the retail, educational and health sectors. The highlight this year for Vegetables.co.nz has been the momentum created in the Kids Can Cook a healthy meal programme. This programme is creating exciting opportunities to teach our future consumers how to use and prepare vegetables. The way the Heart Foundation and Health Promotion Agency have partnered with us in driving this programme has given it the real horse power, Vegetables.co.nz alone would not have been able to achieve this. The next 12 months looks really exciting for this programme. All of the ground work has started to come together, and we should really start to see the outputs from the programme. The board believes that this promotional investment along with progressive initiatives undertaken by growers underpins the continued growth of our sector. (Over 70% in the past 10 years from $250m to $340m (projected this 201/18 financial year). VNZI - NZ GAP After a major review NZGAP is now governed directly through HortNZ. Vegetables New Zealand Inc. continues to have direct involvement into the scheme to ensure it remains a successful food safety programme to enhance better growing practices and maintain quality standards for our consumers as well as meeting the needs of our growers. Vegetables NZ Inc. 2018 AGM & Conference Papers 10
VNZI - Education & Training VNZI is an active contributor on the HCG (Human Capability Group) which is developing and implementing a horticulture strategy to attract, develop and retain horticulture’s future leaders and skilled workers. The HCG’s aim is to influence the policies of key stakeholders, including but not limited to the TEC, Primary ITO and Government. VNZI - Government Industry Agreement (GIA) Vegetables NZ Inc. signed the Government Industry Agreement Deed for Biosecurity Readiness and Response to ensure the vegetable industry sector is better prepared for any pest or disease incursion. (Nov 2016) Under the GIA Deed, the signing of an Operational Agreement entitles VNZI to negotiate costs and the course of action for any incursion. To date VNZI has signed Operational Agreements for the Fruit Fly and Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. After much consultation, consideration, and advice the board agreed that a separate biosecurity levy outside of the commodity levy was the best way to protect our grower’s interests. The levy will ensure that VNZI will be able to front fresh vegetable grower’s commitments as a GIA deed partner. (The Biosecurity Levy will be voted on at the AGM under Remit No. 7 and the VNZI biosecurity funding process under Remit No. 8). Management of VNZI I would like to thank our board for the time and energy they commit to our industry. Your work does make a real difference to the landscape in which we grow. The VNZI board would like to acknowledge the management team of VNZI, John and Lynda. Their team work and ability to keep the board on track through the GIA and levy processes was highly valued by the board. To the other groups we work with VR&I and Vegetables.co.nz, HortNZ and other product groups where we work together the sum of the total is always greater than the individual parts. Our staff do a fantastic job on behalf of our growers. Our board would also like to thank the many growers who contribute to the success of VNZI activities through the time and commitment they give to the many activities they undertake on behalf of our organisation. It takes a team effort to ensure our industry flourishes. Special Mention As I write this Stuart Davies has just announced that he is stepping down from VNZI and the VR&I boards. Stuart has been a fantastic asset to VNZI and a long standing servant to our industry. He has committed countless hours of his time, his knowledge and experience. His professional and balanced governance combined with his in-depth research knowledge has made a massive contribution to our industry. To Stuart’s employers, thank you for allowing him to be part of the VNZI and V R & I teams. We know he will continue to make a valuable contribution to our industry. Finally With a successful levy vote later this year VNZI is ready and determined to build on the past work of VNZI to support our growers well into the future. Andre de Bruin John Seymour CHAIRMAN, VEGETABLES NZ INCORPORATED GENERAL MANAGER, VEGETABLES NZ INCORPORATED Vegetables NZ Inc. 2018 AGM & Conference Papers 11
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Vegetables New Zealand Inc.
Income and Budget Expenditure Forecast
1 April 2018 - 31 March 2019 - DRAFT
2017/18 2017/18 2018/19
Col: Forecast Actual Forecast
$400m ($360m $400m ($360m VNZI Levy at 0.3% and other income $420m ($380m
1 Dom + $40m Ex) Dom + $40m Ex) Dom + $40m Ex)
2 Income $ Income $
3 400,000 416,002 Levy Product Group 0.1% of Export & Dom sales 420,000
4 400,000 416,002 Levy R & D 0.1% of Export & Dom sales 420,000
5 360,000 364,943 Levy Promo 0.1% of $380m Dom sales 380,000
6 0 40,499 Levy Promo balance 0
7 0 475 Interest on Reserves & Sundry ** 0
8 0 Levy GIA / Biosecurity % TBC 0
9 $1,160,000 $1,237,921 $1,220,000
10
11 Expenses $ Industry Research & Development Expenses $
12 55,000 54,189 VR & I Board Management & Administration 55,000
13 275,000 216,822 VR & I Research Projects (incl PGP $105) 317,000
14 40,000 30,394 VNZI Research Projects & Proposals 40,000
17 30,000 40,152 GIA / MPI Bio-security 30,000
16 54,000 62,016 R & D Consultancy 54,000
18 $454,000 $403,573 $496,000
19 Meetings & travel PG Expenditure
20 40,000 45,736 Conference VNZI AGM - Christchurch 45,000
21 0 27,750 VNZI Meetings - Chair's Daily fees 26,000
22 45,000 12,748 VNZI meetings - Director's Daily Fees 16,000
23 35,000 25,831 VNZI meetings Travel 25,000
24 20,000 12,562 Other Director meetings VR & I, NZGAP, Veg.co. etc 10,000
25 14,000 5,680 Grower Engagement & Levy consultation 8,000
26 $154,000 $130,307 $130,000
27 Office & communications
28 55,000 54,351 Office Overheads & Levy collection 55,000
29 26,000 28,166 NZ Grower magazine Contribution (Review April 2018) 23,000
30 1,000 759 Printing & Stationary 1,000
31 2,000 1,449 General Expenses 2,000
32 5,000 846 Postages & mail outs (incl membership & levy) 5,000
33 6,000 5,531 Photocopying 6,000
34 185,000 156,207 Staff salaries (incl support staff allocation) ** 185,000
35 15,000 8,015 District Association Capitation / Grants 15,000
36 4,000 3,963 Telephone & Tolls 4,000
37 10,000 904 Inc. Consultation / legal / accounting / audit advice 10,000
38 0 6,385 VNZ Website Updates 2,000
39 7,000 0 Grower Engagement 1,000
40 $316,000 $266,576 $309,000
41 Promotions
42 280,000 280,000 Veg.co.nz @ new fixed contribution *** 300,000
43 30,000 0 VNZI Promotions - other 20,000
44 $310,000 $280,000 $320,000
45
46 $1,234,000 $1,080,456 Total Expenses $1,255,000
47 -$74,000 $157,465 Surplus / Deficit -$35,000
NB ** Full allocation of staff S & W now VNZI 3 days per week.
*** Increased contribtion for Veg.co.nz form $270k to $300k
Reserves & Interest are held in the HortNZ / VNZ A/Cs' and no longer in the VNZ Inc. A/C's
Reserves for GIA / Biosecurity will be shown seperately
Vegetables NZ Inc.
2018 AGM & Conference Papers 22Vegetables NZ Inc. 2018 / 19 - Draft Budget Commentary
Please refer to the VNZ Inc. Income and Budget Expenditure Forecast (Right hand column)
Key points:
• The actual VNZ Inc. Income for the 2017/18 financial year was $1,238,000 an increase of $77,000
against the forecast of $1,160,000.
• Expenses were $1,080,000 compared to a forecast of $1,234,000 providing an improvement of
$154,000.
• Due to the increased income and the decreased expenses the overall result was a surplus of $157,465
against a forecasted deficit of $74,000.
• The positive outcome from the previous budget determined a forecasted levy income for 2018/19 at
$1,220,000
• Expenses are forecast to increase for 2018/19 due to:
- Higher investment in fresh vegetable promotional activity via Vegetables.co.nz ($40,000)
- Increased investment in Research costs via the V R & I Board ($93,000)
- Increased administration and staff costs due to increased vents – Levy referendum, GIA, Biosecurity
Levy ($43,000)
Vegetables NZ Inc.
2018 AGM & Conference Papers 232018 Vegetables NZ Inc. & Vegetables NZ (Product Group)
Combined AGM Remits
The following remits, proposed by the Vegetables NZ Inc. Board, will be considered at the Vegetables NZ and
(Product Group of Horticulture NZ) and Vegetables NZ Incorporated Combined AGM, being held Monday 23rd
July 2018 at Air Force Museum, Wigram, Christchurch.
Remit 1
That the minutes of the Vegetables NZ Inc. combined AGM, Wednesday 12th July 2017 be taken as a true
and correct record of that meeting.
Proposed by the Vegetables NZ Inc. Board
Explanatory Note
The minutes are included with the 2018 Vegetables NZ Inc. AGM and Conference papers, posted to all
members.
Remit 2
That the Chair’s report for the year ended 31 March 2018, as published in the Vegetables NZ Inc. AGM and
Conference papers, be taken as read and adopted.
Proposed by the Vegetables NZ Inc. Board
Explanatory Note
The Chair’s report is included with the 2018 Vegetables NZ Inc. AGM and Conference papers, posted to all
members.
Remit 3
That the audited Vegetables NZ (product group of HortNZ) financial statements for the year ended 31 March
2018 be adopted.
Proposed by the Vegetables NZ Inc. Board
Explanatory Note
A copy of the Vegetables NZ financial statement is a component of the audited HortNZ financial statements
and are included within the 2018 Vegetables NZ Inc. AGM and Conference papers, posted to all members.
Remit 4
That the audited Vegetables New Zealand Incorporated financial statements for the year ended 31 March
2018 be adopted.
Proposed by the Vegetables NZ Inc. Board
Explanatory Note
The audited Vegetables New Zealand Incorporated financial statements are included with the 2018
Vegetables NZ Inc. AGM and Conference papers, posted to all members.
Remit 5
Endorse the Vegetables NZ Incorporated budget for the year ended 31 March 19.
Proposed by the Vegetables NZ Inc. Board
Explanatory Note
The proposed budget is included with the 2018 Vegetables NZ Inc. AGM and Conference papers, posted and
emailed to all members.
Vegetables NZ Inc.
2018 AGM & Conference Papers 24Remit 6
That the commodity levy rate for Fresh Vegetables for the coming levy year remain at 0.30% for Domestic
sales, and 0.20% for Export sales (FOB).
Proposed by the Vegetables NZ Inc. Board
Explanatory Note
This represents no change to the current levy rate. The levy on NZ fresh vegetable sales is set under the
Commodity Levies Act 1990 - Commodity Levy (Vegetables and Fruit) Order 2013. That Order remains in place
until 12 May 2019. If the new levy order is approved by growers, it is expected to come into effect from the
1st April 2019.
Remit 7
That Vegetable New Zealand Inc. members support the proposal for a separate biosecurity levy, to be set by
the VNZI Board at its discretion, which will initially be set at a rate of 0.05% with a maximum rate of 0.20%
of gate sales value, for application to GIA readiness and response related expenditure, and only applied if at
the Board’s discretion such expenditure is required.
Proposed by the Vegetables NZ Inc. Board
Explanatory Note
With greater representation, influence and shared resources for biosecurity readiness under the GIA Deed
there is also a requirement to directly contribute to the costs of biosecurity response activities including
Operational Agreements (OA). To date the Fruit Fly (FFOA) and the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB OA)
have been completed with further development of a VNZI specific OA. Readiness costs will be minimal and
the initial biosecurity levy rate of 0.05% will reflect this. This vote will be conducted by confidential ballot.
Remit 8
That Vegetables New Zealand Inc. members support and approve the VNZI Board making decisions on behalf
of members in respect of negotiating and signing Operational Agreements as may be required under the GIA
and authorising the payment of other related biosecurity expenses.
Proposed by the Vegetables NZ Inc. Board
Explanatory Note
To manage the significant risks associated with a potential incursions the VNZI Board understand that the
need for urgent decision making is paramount to implement biosecurity containment and control measures.
This urgency requires immediate decision making and action sometimes within 48 hours and does not allow
for a wider consultation process which could take up to several weeks to complete and gain consensus.
This vote will be conducted by confidential ballot.
Remit 9
That BDO Spicers be appointed auditors for the financial year ended 31 March 2019.
Proposed by the Vegetables NZ Inc. Board
Explanatory Note
BDO Spicer were awarded the contract to complete the audit for Horticulture NZ and its contracted
organisations (including Vegetables NZ Inc.) for the 2018-19 year, and Vegetables NZ Inc. and Horticulture
NZ intend to continue that arrangement.
Vegetables NZ Inc.
2018 AGM & Conference Papers 25~ 2018 Speaker Profiles ~
MIKE CHAPMAN
Mike Chapman is the Chief Executive of Horticulture New
Zealand, having taken up the role in January 2016. Mike is
committed to the organisation’s mission: creating an
enduring environment where growers prosper. This includes
protecting land and water rights, advocating for growers on
critical regulation, policy and law changes, skilled and reliable
labour and representing the industry at all levels of
government in Wellington. Previously Mike was the Chief
Executive of NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated, Chief
Executive of Kiwifruit New Zealand, and worked in law,
including for the NZ Defence Force. He was an inaugural
Director Kiwifruit Vine Health Incorporated, and is currently
the Deputy Chair of Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology. Mike
was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in 1982 and holds a
current practicing certificate.
CHARLOTTE CONNOLEY
Originally from a sheep and cattle farm in the Hakataramea
Valley, Charlotte has been with South Pacific Seeds for 16
years, beginning with the company straight from University in
2001 and taking on the management role in 2004. Through
Charlotte’s time with the company they have grown from an
original 5 employees with an office in Christchurch to the
current business of 21 employees and a custom built facility
in Pukekohe including Seed Innovations for seed treatment.
Charlotte is currently Vice Chair of the Vegetable Sector of the
New Zealand Grain & Seed Trade Association, was a Director
on the Board of the Produce Marketing Association –
Australia New Zealand and has judged the New Zealand Olive
Oil Awards for the past 16 years and was an internationally
accredited olive oil taster for a period of time.
MONIQUE FISO
From an after-school job as a sandwich hand at the tender
age of 14, to the michelin-starred kitchens of New York City.
Monique Fiso always wanted to be a chef. Fiso completed her
studies at the Wellington Institute of Technology and while
still in school talked her way into her first fine dining job
working for Chef Martin Bosley at the eponymous Martin
Bosley at the Port Nicholson Yacht Club – the number one
ranking restaurant in New Zealand at that time.
Working full time while studying paid off and Fiso finished top
of her class. With a hunger for adventure and a desire for a
challenge, Fiso booked a ticket to New York City, home of
some of the world’s best restaurants. Fiso headed for
Michelin starred PUBLIC restaurant and was immediately put
to work. Over the next seven years, Fiso honed her skills as a
sous chef in some of New York City’s top kitchens – The
Vegetables NZ Inc.
2018 AGM & Conference Papers 26Musket Room, PUBLIC Restaurant, A Voce, Saxon+Parole,
Double Crown, to name a few.
In 2016 she returned to New Zealand full time and began the
pop-up dining series, Hiakai. Using traditional Māori cooking
techniques and ingredients in combination with her michelin
star training, Fiso has taken Māori cuisine to a whole new
level of sophistication and pushed it into the next chapter in
its food story. Fiso has been widely credited for the
resurgence of Hangi (maori earth oven) style cookery being
practised all across New Zealand, and for being the catalyst
for a new wave of chefs incorporating Maori ingredients,
cooking techniques and customs into their menus.
In 2017, Hiakai won the award for ‘Innovation in Maori
Development’ by the NZ Innovation Council, as well as being
named a finalist for “Supreme Innovation of the Year”, and
“Start-Up Innovation of the Year”. Fiso was also named
among “NZ’s Top 10 rising stars to watch in 2018” by the NZ
Herald.
SHARON FORBES
Sharon Forbes is a Senior Lecturer in Marketing at Lincoln
University. Her academic qualifications are also from Lincoln
University; in 2004 she completed a Bachelor of Viticulture &
Oenology undergraduate degree, in 2005 a Commerce
Honours degree, and in 2009 a PhD in Marketing. Sharon’s
PhD examined the factors influencing the purchasing
behaviour of wine consumers in New Zealand, Australia, the
United Kingdom and the United States. Sharon’s research is
centred on business and consumer studies in the wine and
food sectors. In particular, she has led or participated in
national and global studies that have examined consumer
behaviour, supply chain management, disaster resilience,
social media marketing, brand name perceptions,
philanthropy, and the production and marketing of ‘green’ or
‘environmentally sustainable’ products.
JAMIE LUNAM
Jamie Lunam has the primary sector running through his veins
with his career to date traversing dairy, mineral extraction,
agribusiness manufacturing and currently in supply and
service to the Hort sector in his role as GM for Jenkins
Freshpac Systems. Having worked across multi-nationals,
domestic corporates and in the SME space Jamie has a clear
view up and down the supply chain and is dedicated to
ensuring NZ Hort gets its rightful spot on the world stage and
takes NZ Inc riding on its coat tails.
Vegetables NZ Inc.
2018 AGM & Conference Papers 27DR CHARLES MERFIELD
Dr Charles Merfield, AKA ‘Merf’ is the head of the Future
Farming Centre, Lincoln, Canterbury. He has worked on both
sides of the science/farming fence, having started out as an
organic vegetable grower in both the UK and NZ before
joining academia in the mid 1990s. His research covers, soil,
crop husbandry, pests, diseases & weeds plus machinery and
system design. He and the Future Farming Centre focus on
sustainable and permanent agriculture, undertaking practical
science and translating it into even more practical advice, to
help farmers and growers achieve their goals.
BRUCE ROBERTSON
Bruce Robertson is one of New Zealand’s most experienced
advocates and lobbyist having completed 21 years as Chief
Executive of Hospitality NZ and prior to that being a senior
executive with Federated Farmers. He also has significant
governance experience as current Deputy Chair of Service IQ,
Current Board Member of Christchurch Casinos Ltd and
currently a consultant to the Board of Skyline Enterprises Ltd.
Bruce is also the Independent Chair of the Gaming Machine
Association of NZ and Advocate for Vegetables.co.nz.
In his spare time Bruce enjoys following all sport (from the
couch) and spending time creating pieces of wooden art in his
shed. Having recently purchased a Motor Home he is enjoying
exploring NZ with his wife Barbara and their two poodles
Remy and Beau.
JAMES RYAN
James Ryan is the General Manager of the New Zealand Farm
Environment Trust, a charitable organisation established to
promote sustainable farming and growing. The flagship
activity of the Trust is the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
Prior to joining the Trust, James worked at DairyNZ as regional
policy manager. Previously he worked in public affairs on
some large infrastructure projects in London and Dublin, as
well as a range of policy and management roles in local
government in New Zealand. James holds a geography degree
from the University of Canterbury.
Vegetables NZ Inc.
2018 AGM & Conference Papers 28DR ALISON STEWART
Professor Stewart is the newly appointed CEO of the
Foundation for Arable Research. She is an applied plant
scientist with a 35 year career focused on sustainable disease
management. Her research expertise includes: integrated
plant disease management, control of soil-borne diseases,
biocontrol of plant diseases, microbial ecology, and fungal
molecular genetics. In particular, Alison is internationally
recognised for her work on the control of plant pathogenic
fungi using antagonistic micro-organisms, with special
emphasis on the naturally occurring beneficial soil-borne
fungus Trichoderma. She has successfully developed and
commercialised a number of biopesticide technologies for
the horticulture, arable and nursery sectors in New Zealand
and the USA. Professor Stewart is a Fellow of the NZ Institute
for Agricultural and Horticultural Science and the Australasian
Plant Pathology Society and was elected a Companion of the
NZ Order of Merit in 2009 in recognition of her services to
plant biology.
DR STEVE THOMAS
Dr Steve Thomas is a Senior Scientist and Team Leader of the
Soil Water & Environment Group at Plant and Food Research
based in Lincoln. He obtained his PhD in Soil Science from
Lincoln University in 1997 and has an MSc in Irrigation and
Water Management (Silsoe, UK). Steve has been at Plant &
Food Research and Crop & Food Research since 1999.
Steve currently leads research projects to improve irrigation
water use efficiency through improved soil management
(MBIE Maximising the Value of Irrigation) and is also involved
in research to mitigate nitrate leaching losses and greenhouse
gas emissions. Much of his research is focused on practical
ways to improve on-farm soil, nutrient and water
management to grow products sustainably and minimise
environmental footprints. Steve and his team work with
vegetable, arable and forage crops.
STEVE WRATTEN
Steve Wratten is Professor of Ecology at Lincoln
University as well as being on the staff of the Bio-
Protection Research Centre. He has studied and worked
in the Universities of Reading, Glasgow, London,
Cambridge and Southampton in the UK. He holds three
doctorates and four professorships and is an elected
Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand. He is the top
global researcher on biological control of pests, based
on citation rates.
His research largely concerns the understanding and
enhancement of nature’s services (ecosystem services
– ES) on farmland. He is the world leader in biological
control of pests and is currently working on using
ecological techniques to reduce the decline in
populations of pollinators. Pollination is an ES. One of
Vegetables NZ Inc.
2018 AGM & Conference Papers 29the clear outcomes that his research has delivered is
the Greening Waipara programme
(http://bioprotection.org.nz/greening-waipara). This
involves adding flowering native and non-native plants
to vineyards to improve the efficacy of pest biological
control agents. His work in the MBNZT involve helping
the schools and gardeners to enhance butterfly
populations on their land. Butterflies also have ES
value, that is their aesthetic qualities. His current
research includes a strong emphasis on understanding
and enhancing ecosystem services in farmland. This
includes work on a giant hybrid grass called
miscanthus. This can be used for production of
renewable liquid fuels, but unlike other biofuel
feedstocks, it delivers at least 16 ecosystem services
within the farm and, beyond it, to society as a whole.
Steve’s services are often called upon by international
groups to run workshops and to help growers and their
advisors with implementation of ideas and practices to
reduce inputs in agriculture. In practice, this involves
their understanding the power of ecosystem (nature’s
services) such as soil formation and improvement,
biological control of pests, pollination etc. For example,
in recent years he has been invited by:
• NZ Winegrowers to give workshops in all NZ wine
regions
• Organic Crop Protectants, NSW (Gary Leeson) to give
workshops in all main Australian vineyard regions
• SurFrut, Chile to give invited workshops to grower
groups in north and south Chile
• Wageningen University, Holland to take part in a one-
week intensive workshop on biodiversity, with
international colleagues
• Oregon Winegrowers to give a plenary presentation
on the value of biodiversity in vineyards
• Washington State University to run workshops and
seminars on biodiversity and its functions
• University of Arkensas to run workshops on
biodiversity to students and staff
• Taiwan Government to advise scientists and policy
makers on how to imbue government policy with
practical ecosystem-service protocols
• Plumpton College, Sussex, UK to run all-day
workshops at two locations in southern England on
the advantages of enhanced biodiversity in wine-
grape production. This included champaigne-grape
growers from the counties of Sussex, Hampshire,
Somerset etc.
• Mackay, Australia – sugar cane research advice.
Vegetables NZ Inc.
2018 AGM & Conference Papers 30• Invited participant in a SESSYNC workshop in
Annapolis, USA on agroecology, run by the
Universities of Harvard and California
Among many others.
For further updates on the Conference Programme and Speaker Profiles refer to –
www.confer.co.nz/hortnz2018/programme/
Vegetables NZ Inc.
2018 AGM & Conference Papers 31You can also read
