The High Court, in a fast track judicial review decision, dated 3 May, overturned decisions by regulator Kiwifruit New Zealand to reject three proposed collaborative marketing agreement applications submitted by Seeka and Splice Fruit late last year. The High Court ordered Kiwifruit NZ to rehear the three applications. After the rehearing, Kiwifruit NZ again rejected the applications.

Zespri Group, on 30 May, filed a Notice of Appeal in the Court of Appeal in relation to parts of the High Court decision.

“We have filed notice that we will oppose Zespri’s Notice of Appeal,” said Seeka chief executive Michael Franks. “We are looking to cooperate with Zespri to get through this legal process as efficiently as possible.”