Meet the Executive:

VICE CHAIRMAN / SUPPLIER

Jon has been in and around organic Kiwifruit growing for much of his life.

He was an organic Kiwifruit orchard manager for many years, ran a successful corporate team building company, now sits on the  BioGro Board of Directors, Chair of a community group called Families Achieving Balance (FAB) and is the organic category manager for Seeka.

When he hasn’t got his head in organic kiwifruit growing, he’s got his hands on his new planting of organic avocado trees at his own property in Pyes Pa. Or enjoying life with his family (including three grandees) and an unruly Dog called Ruby.

GROWER

Dennis and his wife Debbie have been involved in the kiwifruit industry since the 1980s when the family dairy farm in Te Puke was converted to a commercial kiwifruit orchard. They both worked on the orchard until the downturn in the 1990s when Debbie started work off orchard in Post Harvest.

In 1999 with the desire to protect and nurture the environment and to try and leave the property in a better state than when they found it, the Organic journey started.

Dennis has visited the markets on many occasions and really enjoys the opportunity to interact with the consumers.

He has held a number of positions within the industry including NZKGI forum member, Kiwifruit Product to Australia member, Te Puke Fruitgrowers Executive member, COKA Organic Management member and former COKA treasurer.

While not on the orchard he enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing squash, going to the gym and walking around Mount Maunganui.

SUPPLIER

Emily has been involved in the kiwifruit industry since 2015, starting in the office at Agfirst, then moving to Apata in 2018. She has a level 3 in Horticulture and is working towards a diploma in Horticulture from Lincoln through Fruition Hort.

She has a passion for Organic and regenerative Horticulture, and was a finalist in the BOP young grower of the year 2021. Emily is a member of the NZKGI Future Leaders Committee and is the Organic Grower Services Rep for Apata. She feels as a young person coming through the industry that organics is so important to learn about and pass on techniques and practices so growers are thinking about inputs and future generations.

Outside of Kiwifruit, Emily has a small family: her partner, two cats and a boxer dog called Merlot who definitely keeps her busy. She also enjoys getting crafty and attending markets for homemade macrame.

GROWER

GROWER

SECRETARY

TREASURER