Paul Jones, chairman of the Kiwifruit Industry Advisory Committee, Zespri director and chairman of the Hayward Medal judging panel, said that Sir Brian’s legacy is the way in which the Kiwifruit Regulations have been administered to the overall benefit of NZ growers and suppliers. “Sir Brian has a very fine legal mind. The Kiwifruit Regulations call on KNZ to exercise extensive judgement and discretion in their administration and Sir Brian’s thorough, meticulous analysis and vast experience has served the industry well.”

Under Sir Brian’s leadership, significant changes were made within KNZ to strengthen the decision-making process and make the regulator more accountable and transparent to growers and industry.

In his acceptance speech, Sir Brian said the evidence showed the kiwifruit industry had succeeded in achieving a world-leading position in kiwifruit production and marketing, and “survived good times and not-so good times, been innovative and generally financially successful for participants and the New Zealand economy. An absolutely enviable achievement.”

He also noted the competitive nature of the industry with multiple independent growers, competition between vibrant, competing supply entities, and the ability to authorise exporters other than Zespri.

During Sir Brian’s tenure, KNZ has considered over 300 collaborative marketing applications. The success rate of collaborative marketing has increased, with 93 percent of applications approved over the past five years, up from 87 percent for the previous five-year period (2005–2010).