Final Results in Kiwifruit Grower Referendum Confirmed

Final Results in Kiwifruit Grower Referendum Confirmed

The final results in the Kiwifruit Industry Strategy Project (KISP) referendum have now been officially confirmed by election management company Electionz.

KISP’s independent Chair, Neil Richardson, said that the official results have changed very little from the interim results and now they have been confirmed, the industry’s focus will turn to implementing the recommendations.

“With the official final results showing over 90% support for each recommendation in the referendum, including 97% support for the industry’s single point of entry structure, growers have sent a very clear message to the Government, Zespri, and New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc (NZKGI) on how they want their industry to be structured and controlled.

“I have now written to the Minister for Primary Industries, Hon Nathan Guy, requesting that the government recognise the overwhelming support by growers and implement the proposed regulatory amendments,” Mr Richardson said.

The implementation phase of KISP now requires regulatory amendments, and changes to the constitutions of Zespri and NZKGI. These changes are expected to be completed over the next 12-18 months and will result in measures to increase grower ownership and control of their marketer Zespri, strengthen grower control of their industry and enhance the performance of their industry.

ENDS

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