NZFGA AGM Held in Wellington Early September

Following a day conference at the Thorndon Hotel Wellington NZFGA held its AGM with 12 members present and a number of apologies.

The Chairman David Blewden provided another comprehensive report covering the following information: -

David began by covering the associations activities –

• He put an emphasis on the ‘Weekly Information’ as a new and significant service.

• Ongoing work on the anti dumping regime. [set in motion by the need for plaster board competition in the Christchurch rebuild]

• Import Health Standards – the association made significant submissions.

• Environmental Protection Agency – Notifying changes to members and commenting.

• Emerging Risks Assessment – An effective new initiative from MPI.

• Intellectual Plant Variety rights [PVR] – Commenting on changes proposed but also waiting for the TPP signing as this will have an effect on intellectual property legislation.

• Highlighting Subsidies for Indian farmers

• The associations watchdog function - Persisting with MPI re the prosecution of Premium Flowers.

David commented that he thought it is great ‘bang for each buck’ from NZFGA which is currently running at a deficit of $5 – 6,000pa and will probably last only another 3 to 4 years.

David mentioned that there are improved communications between flower grower organisations, mentioning that the chairman of NZ Export Growers Organisation was present today, something that would have been impossible a few years back. There is improved contact with peony growers and the demise of the Ashiro gentian growers group was mentioned and that they transferred the remaining balance of their funds to NZFGA  - all of $9.30! Joy Knight representing Florists of NZ Incorporated was also present as well as other stake holders. 

State of the Industry comments: – 20 to 30 years ago the NZ flower industry was a world leader  with good breeding programmes, this is now all but gone.

The industry and its participants must address the following issues

• Lack of investment and Research & development.

• Lack of market co ordination re seasonal crop production.

• Imports are a fact of life.

• There is a lack of new growers who will invest.

• Super markets, the future of flower sales?

• Update varieties to those wanted.

• Raise productivity – more staff or mechanisation or do what you do better.

• Look at procedures, rework or remove if not effective.

• Provide clear instructions; listen to staff feedback which often gives improvements. We have untapped potential.

• A passion for plants is OK but there is a need to be more scientific, collect & use data to make decisions on

• Apply industry best practice on all systems.

As David will step down from the Chairmanship and the executive committee this is his final report for the association

The Advocacy Report was considered to be part of David’s report.

The Membership report was given by Theo Van Lier: -

Theo outlined how the association struggles with membership. Last years effort by committee members to ring all known active growers established that there were just under 400 growers but there remains a big gap between that number and association membership and attendance at events such as this one..

Theo also mentioned the weekly and bi monthly communications the association puts out with thanks Chris & Joanne.

The Members benefit Report was given by Ian Kempthorne.

Ian briefly described the current benefits available to members and also mentioned the potential from the contact Frans has made with ‘Protected Cropping Australia’.

The NZ grown sleeve stickers will help with the buy NZ campaign, more people are asking for NZ grown. He urged growers to support and buy the stickers.

Ian said the association had struggled to continue with the development of a dedicated website due to the cost of establishing and maintaining it. It may eventuate in the future in the meantime do use the www.growernews.co.nz site and click on the cut flower section.

Election of officers followed –

Two of the current executive are standing down, David Blewden and Theo Van Lier. Three members have accepted nomination – John Van Delft, Robert Stoothoff and Richard Mangin. [ executive profiles are provided at the end of the article]

Resolutions – Two were passed  - i) That the accounts not be audited.   Ii) That the association not go into recess.

General Business

Gerald Smith had comments about the new subscription rates saying that they are too expensive.

There was comment back from all committee members saying that many attempts at increasing the membership had had little effect in the past and that to balance the budget and pay for extra secretarial hours the increase had been necessary.

There was discussion about influencing school children towards horticulture, the benefits of which were readily seen but there was also recognition that it would require another paid employee.

Chris Smellie then outlined David Blewden’s history and his commitment to the NZ Flower Growers Association. It began in 1987 with a major effort by David to establish a levy for the flower sector which very narrowly missed becoming a reality. –David also established the ‘Flowers NZ Magazine’; merged regional associations with the ‘Northern Flower Growers Association’ to form the NZ Flower growers Association’; Secured funding from previous Flower Promotion Groups; provided initial GIA representation and had three stints at being chairmen.

Chris requested that everyone present, give David a standing ovation for his long and selfless dedication to the flower growing industry.

Meeting Closed at 5.15pm