Flett has a background in sales and marketing and made the move into horticulture five years ago when he and his wife, Julie, purchased an avocado orchard in the Bay of Plenty.

The Police & Rural Stakeholders Partnership, chaired by Bay of Plenty farmer, Rick Powdrell, from Federated Farmers, promotes a collaborative approach between rural communities and the police to raise visibility for agriculture crime and reduce issues for farmers and growers.  

"Avocados have been impacted severely at times by thieves”, says New Zealand Avocado CEO, Jen Scoular. "The New Zealand Police provided excellent support for growers at the time but it is important that industry is involved going forward in solutions to protecting avocado crops.

"The increasing value of avocados and the shortage last season created a real problem in April and May this year, with avocados being stolen in the dead of night by what may have been gangs of thieves. 

"Avocados are not the only crop affected and thieves regularly target horticulture, especially when there are crop shortages and as a result, prices are high. It is important that horticulture is able to contribute to solutions devised by the New Zealand Police and so we welcome Dave Flett joining the Police & Rural Stakeholders Partnership,” Scoular adds.

Source: NZAGA