Nikki Johnson

NZKGI's new chief executive Nikki Johnson 

Former New Zealand Citrus Growers manager Nikki Johnson has been appointed New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated’s (NZKGI) new chief executive.

Johnson will assume the role in early April, succeeding Mike Chapman who stepped down to take on the role of chief executive of Horticulture New Zealand.

Johnson spent ten years with New Zealand Citrus Growers, where she played a key role in transitioning the industry body from a voluntary grower organisation into a professional association with sustainable, compulsory levy funding and a strategic approach to investment of grower funds.

She is also a founding director of Market Access Solutionz, an advisory company that specialises in biosecurity, regulatory systems, market access, international trade issue management and strategic industry management.

NZKGI chairman Doug Brown said Johnson’s energy and passion for the horticulture industry would support the body’s strategic direction.