Former chairman of the New Zealand Kiwifruit Marketing Board, John Palmer, has been recogniaed for his work guiding the kiwifruit industry through a financial crisis in the early 1990s, taking out the 2013 Fresh Carriers Hayward Medal last night (21 November).
Zespri chairman Peter McBride paid tribute to Palmer’s work at an awards dinner in Mount Maunganui, crediting him with reviving the New Zealand industry.
“The financial disaster in 1992 saw the bottom drop out of the market, as prices crashed in an over-supplied European market,” McBride said.
“Industry debt ballooned to more than NZ$100m, European coolstores were owed millions and there was no bailout from the Government. It was John Palmer, a kiwifruit grower from Nelson, who stepped up assume the chairmanship of the New Zealand Kiwifruit Marketing Board. Seemingly undaunted by the challenge, John worked day and night throughout the financial crisis.”
After the collapse of the 1992 season, Palmer convinced packaging partners, along with New Zealand’s National Bank, to fund the 1993 season, giving the industry new hope for survival. Two years later the debt was cleared and the industry stabilised.
“John is a brilliant thinker and leader,” McBride said. “His five years as chairman of the Kiwifruit Marketing Board helped establish our industry for the future.”
The Hayward Medal was first awarded in 2012 and recognises the dedication, knowledge, excellence and passion of the New Zealand kiwifruit industry’s leaders.
Nominations were invited from across the industry, including growers, post-harvest operators, researchers and administrators.
