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The kiwifruit growers association boss has tendered his resignation after more than five years in the job.
NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI) CEO Colin Bond said that, after considerable reflection, now felt like the right time to hand over the reins.
“This has not been an easy decision. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at NZKGI and have been privileged to work alongside passionate growers, industry leaders, and a dedicated team who care deeply about the future of our industry. While I’ll have more to say closer to my departure, I know I’ll be leaving the organisation in good hands,” Bond said.
“I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family before considering what comes next.”
NZKGI chair Whetu Rolleston said the organisation respected Bond’s decision and thanked him for his contribution toward growers and the kiwifruit industry. Recruitment has begun for his replacement.
Bond was appointed as CEO in May 2021 and expects to leave in the first quarter of 2027.
The Government is proceeding with plans to simplify the alcohol licensing regime for hospitality businesses. It is part of its response to the Ministry for Regulation’s hospitality sector review.
Regulation Minister David Seymour said the review found alcohol licensing was one of the biggest problems businesses faced. In some cases, the costs of the licence exceeded the benefits of having one.
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee said she had accepted all but one of the review’s recommendations to make alcohol licenses easier to get, more proportionate, and less costly.
It would remove annual fees, reduce renewal fees, and simplify the application and renewal processes.
It would also remove current licence types and replace them with a single risk-based alcohol licensing framework over time.
The high cost of living and Middle East war continue to put the squeeze on manufacturers, preventing them from unlocking their full potential.
The latest BNZ-BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index, out today, fell to 53.1 in August, down 1.2 points from 54.3 in July. A reading above 50 indicated the manufacturing sector remained in expansion mode.
Survey respondents continue to point to cost-of-living pressures and the ongoing Iran conflict as reasons for holding back.
Sentiment softened again, but a number of respondents pointed to steady or improving order books.
The manufacturing sector directly employs more than 220,000 people, contributes about 8% of GDP, and accounts for about 60% of New Zealand’s goods exports.
Next week, Statistics NZ publishes June-quarter GDP data.
Economists have pencilled in growth of between 0.1% and 0.3%, while the RBNZ thought there would be no growth.
