The final results of New Zealand’s Kiwifruit Industry Strategy Project (KISP) referendum has given Bay of Plenty-based firm EastPack the confidence to undertake new investment in the sector.
In a statement released today (7 April), the leading postharvest operator suggested it will now look to ramp-up spending to develop its packing and coolstorage facilities. EastPack also highlighting the potential for a significant increase in skilled employment opportunities with the company, with the kiwifruit volumes it handles set to increase by 30 per cent in 2015.
EastPack chairman Ray Sharp said the referendum painted and accurate representation of the industry’s vision for the future, with growers representing 80 per cent of New Zealanad’s kiwifruit production by volume casting their votes.
“A lot of consultation, time and thought by industry leaders went into developing the final proposals,” Sharp said. “The fact that over 90 per cent of the votes supported the proposals is a great outcome. The referendum result lays the foundation to improve the industry structure with grower control and ownership doing what we can to leverage better outcomes for ourselves as growers and our country.”
The referendum’s final results echoed the interim results released by the KISP committee late last month. This included an overwhelming majority of growers showing their support for New Zealand’s Single Point of Entry (SPE) marketing structure, as well as more than 90 per cent of growers voting in favour of regulatory changes, including changes to the name, structure and role of New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated.
“We join our growers in our continued support of the SPE encompassed in Zespri and our collaborative marketing structure,” Sharp explained. “We also support the proposed development of more appropriate structuring of Zespri ownership and industry control over the next 10 to 15 years. The referendum result supports a strong mandate for the changes proposed, some very fundamental and some refinements to shape Zespri to better add value to our New Zealand kiwifruit industry.”
Sharp said the next step is for the New Zealand Government to endorse and support the required changes to enable the industry to “deliver its potential value” to the country’s economy.
