Leading players from across New Zealand’s export supply chain have banded together to deliver 20 tonnes of Zespri Green kiwifruit to schools in Fijian communities hit by Cyclone Winston.
Single-desk marketer Zespri donated the fruit while Tauranga Kiwifruit Logistics helped get the consignment to T&G. SEMCO trucked the fruit from the Bay of Plenty to Auckland at no charge, Maersk Line donated the shipping and T&G stored the fruit in its coolstores in both Auckland and Fiji.
T&G staff trucked the fruit to schools near the city of Nadi on Wednesday (10 August), with the help of the Fijian Ministry of Education.
Zespri external relations manager Nick Kirton said the collaborative effort was an opportunity for the industry to give back to communities that provide workers to the New Zealand horticultural sector each season.
“Around 150 Fijians each year come to New Zealand for seasonal work in our horticulture and fresh produce industries,” Kirton explained. “We are really pleased to have been able to work together to get healthy, fresh New Zealand produce to our Pacific neighbours.”
Fiji’s Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Mahendra Reddy, officiated the handover, attended by New Zealand’s deputy head of mission, Amanda Vercoe, and Zespri and T&G representatives.
