History of COKA:

1993

An initial planning meeting to discuss the formation of a New Zealand Organic Kiwifruit Growers Group was held at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Tauranga. On the 17th of June 1993.

The meeting was called by New Zealand Organics Ltd a privately owned organic fruit exporting company represented by Glenn Cunningham and John Mangan. Glenn and John had previously been principals of Kiwi Harvest Ltd - one of the licensed Exporters under the previous multi Exporter regime prior to the establishment of the Kiwifruit Marketing Board (KMB).

The meeting agreed the following:

- That the New Zealand Organic Kiwifruit Growers Group be formed

- That New Zealand Organics Ltd (NZOL) be appointed as a facilitator for a period of one year

- That a small working party comprising the following members be formed:

Chris Bromley (Helensville)

Hans Dirkse (Katikati)

Jeff Roderick (TePuke)

Beth & Brian Hocking (Taranaki)

David Skinner (Keri Keri)

1994

The inaugural meeting of the now renamed New Zealand Organic Kiwifruit Growers Association (NZOKGA) was held in Tauranga on the 11th of April 1994. Interesting points to come out of the meeting:

Familiar names attending the meeting were: Ian Talor, Hans Dirkse, Trevor Caines, Cathy McKenna, Barry & John Roderick, Doug McLeod and Graeme Crawshaw.

The working party had made written submissions to both the regulations select committee and to the KMB on various concerns affecting organic growers.

It appeared that the New Zealand Kiwifruit Marketing Board (KMB) were taking a stronger interest in organic kiwifruit.

Grower representative groups may be able to cover the organic sector.

However, it seemed apparent that a separate association was going to be the best vehicle to represent organics special position.

Further discussion took place about the necessity or otherwise of having an Organic Kiwifruit Growers Association.

Jeff Roderick replied that the working party had spent considerable discussing this over the last year.

It had been agreed that:

Growers would benefit from being able to represent their concerns with a united voice, and be part of an identifiable organisation which can encourage a more focused marketing effort, and promote research and extension work specific to organic kiwifruit growers.

Also agreed was the following:

That the associations objective should be: “To increase political recognition of New Zealand Organic Kiwifruit Growers”

That NZOKGA seek representation on the Board of the Biological Producers Council (BIOGRO)

That NZOKGA seek representation on the executive of the Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated.

Election of Officers:

There were two nominations for the position of Chairperson. These were Hans Dirske and Jeff Roderick. However, Jeff declined his nomination leaving Hans duly elected to the position of chairperson unopposed.

1995+

Graeme Crawshaw replaces Hans Dirske as Chair. Stuart Abbott appointed by KMB as organics Manager.

Notable events:

Simon Bognuda Chair of BIO-GRO attends AGM

Cheryle Melton appointed association Secretary

Association executive comprised: Dave Church, Ian Douglas, Dave Glasgow and James Croskery

KMB Marketing Manager Jon Lamb attended the AGM and the news wasn’t good

KMB CEO Robin Mills spoke at an association the topic of which was “ORGANICS FUTURE -Sustainable Growth or Unleashed Chaos”.

Early Fruit Stuart Abbot reported that the Kiwistart scheme would be in place for next year (1997). There was a strong market demand for early fruit in the markets.

The contract for Touma was being drafted. The KMB envisaged that will take several years for the volumes of organic Touma to build up and that in three to four years this will replace the Kiwistart programme.

The current condition checking failure rate for organic was 18% compared with 53% for conventional with fruitloss of 2% and 8% respectively.

The current forecast for organic fruit was $5.80 while class 1 conventional was $4.11.

The fruit volume sold to date (week 41) is 71% sold compared with 57% last year (1995)

Fruit payments for 1995 (full season) was transitional fruit $5.99 (will not be sold by KMB in 1997) and BIO-GRO certified $6.40.

ZESPRI UPDATE Stuart Abbott reported on the first year of operations under the Zespri Brand. As at 25th of November:

Stuart had attended an IFOAM meeting at Oxford University (UK) and he was impressed with the awareness of the “ZESPRI label”

There was less than a pallet of organic fruit left in NZ and ZESPRI could have sold double the volume without much of a drop in price.

Fruit quality was very good: 1.8% fruitloss organics and 2.9% conventional

The latest forecast is accurate at $7.75.

The importance of bigger fruit was reiterated

He is looking for as much transitional fruit as possible for 1998 but finance hasn’t decided yet. The problem is selling transitional fruit side by side with full organic.

Graeme Crawshaw represented organic kiwifruit producers on Organic Products Exporters Group (OPEG). There was an interesting agenda item for OPEG 10 February 1997 meeting:

Malcolm Bailey from Federated Farmers will explain why his organisation has rejected $30m of Government funding for organics.

Kathy McKenna made a presentation on Pests, Scale and Passion Vine Hopper.

Graeme Crawshaw stepped down as the associations NZKGI representative and was replaced by Dave Goodwin. Graeme also stepped down as Chair and was replaced by Allen Keating.

Stuart Abbott Reported:

A good start to Zespri Organic Season.

A long hot summer provided ideal growing conditions.

Fruit size is well suited to market requirements.

Early season sales are off to a strong start in most markets.

The 10% penalty for fruit with market restrictions is currently under review. The penalty isn’t in place for 1998 season.

Fruit with pest restrictions can’t be sold in Japan and must be sold in lower returning markets.

Zespri International has been involved in a few initiatives for the organic crop this season.

1998 AGM financial Report:

Opening Balance: $320.25

Income: $3,433

Expenses: $3,212.47

Closing Balance: $540.33

Ian Taylor is in the process of setting up an organic course at the BOP Polytech

Graham Cathie and Dave Church are standing for the BIO-GRO Board of Directors

Transitional Pool: Kerry Thomas explained there was an error in the September forecast it should be $6.40 and not $5.98

Stuart Abbot explained that Zespri was setting up a group to look at grade standards.

1999

The 1990’s was a period of significant growth in New Zealand organic kiwifruit. With this came the need to find our way and place in the Zespri business.

Doug Voss the Chair of KNZ (KMB) invited the Executive and the Advisory Group to meet with him and Sally Gardiner General Manager of KNZ. To use a political term “It was a meaningful and frank discussion. They outlined their problems in the overall picture, we made them well aware of members attitudes to the marketing of organics and organic philosophies.

Work was underway to prepare for the April 1, 2000 corporatisation of KMB (KNZ) as ZESPRI GROUP LTD.

In the 1999 season 77% of all fruit landing at Japanese ports has had to be fumigated. For Organics there is the added integrity issue and the closing of access for such fruit in 2000.

Zespri is treating this situation for next season extremely seriously.

Zespri Market Report Stuart Abbott:

A Crop of 1.4 million trays – (average size 34.5) has provided Zespri International with an ideal mix of organic fruit for the global market. International demand for organic product continues to grow at an at rate of around 20%.

The 1999/2000 period was a very eventful one for the association:

The executive set the ball rolling with the launch of a new identity – namely branding the association COKA. The word certified appeared in our name for the first time.

So ended the 1990’s and a new century started bringing even more change to our Zespri Organic Kiwifruit business.