The Independent Kiwifruit Growers Association is concerned the orchard tender process to permit growing of new Zespri kiwifruit varieties is not transparent enough.
“The evaluation criteria leave too much room for subjectivity with the final criteria being ‘any other matter considered relevant by the evaluation panel’,” says Independent Kiwifruit Growers Association spokesman Marcus Wilkins.

He’s also concerned there is only one independent person on the selection panel, a solicitor to be appointed by the Industry Advisory Council, and he is not there to audit the process, but as a member of the panel.
“It is important growers have confidence the independent solicitor on the panel is going to be checking that the process is transparent, that irrelevant criteria are not taken into account when tenders are evaluated, and that a fair and reasonable pro-rata method is applied.”
The solicitor is only required to state to Zespri and NZKGI at the end of the process whether it has been carried out in accordance with the rules.
The rules give the panel the sole discretion on allocation with the ability to pro-rata the allocation of licences across any number of bids rather than all bids, and on either a proportional or disproportional basis.
Under the rules the panel doesn’t have to disclose the results, acceptances or other aspects of the process. The only requirement is the panel must disclose to the industry the method used if they need pro-rata tenders.
“That is not the same as saying that in his or her opinion, each tender has been evaluated on its merits,” says Marcus.
IKGA also notes that there is no requirement for that opinion to be made public.
New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated chief executive Mike Chapman says the lawyer on the selection panel is Peter Trapski, a Tauranga resident, former Chief District Court Judge, and a few years ago chairman of Kiwifruit NZ.
“He’s highly regarded – he’s been a judge and he has good industry knowledge,” says Mike.
The tender selection process was designed with extensive industry consultation, and grower submissions in a process that took over two months.
“We did that. We worked with Zespri on the process and we are satisfied with the process. Everyone has had the opportunity to have their say.
“At the end of the day this is a commercial deal.
“It could have been done a number of ways, it could have been by closed tender.
“The process is what the industry and growers want. I’m a little surprised we are getting these comments.”
NZKGI has also distributed an information package with everything they know about the new varieties to help orchardists assess whether they will grow successfully within their particular micro climate.
All risks will lie with the grower.
If a decision is ever made to de-commercialise any of the new varieties, growers will receive only limited compensation.