Kiwifruit growers have voted strongly in support of their representative organisation, New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc, continuing to work on their behalf.

Eight-five per cent of growers took part in the NZKGI Levy Referendum to continue the levy for the next six years – a result NZKGI chairperson Doug Brown describes as a positive endorsement of the organisation.

'The positive result is a great endorsement for our work over the last six years. It is especially pleasing to improve on our voter turnout given the last referendum took place when many growers were very engaged in the kiwifruit industry due to the outbreak of (the vine disease) Psa.

'The kiwifruit industry is experiencing a real growth phase and has an exciting future. NZKGI will be there to make sure growers' interests remain the top priority.”

NZKGI CEO Nikki Johnson says, 'Naturally we are very delighted with the positive response from growers and I am privileged to lead an organisation that is going from strength to strength in its advocacy.

'Nevertheless, there will be challenges for the sector and I encourage all growers to engage with their representatives to make sure that NZKGI is focusing on issues important to them.”

The Declaration of Result was provided by the independent Returning Officer, Warwick Lampp, of Electionz.com. Of those who voted, 85 per cent of growers supported the proposed levy and 88 per cent by volume was in support. Votes were cast by 49 per cent of growers eligible to vote in the referendum, representing 63 per cent of total production.

These results compare to the levy referendum in 2011 of which 87 per cent of voters supported the proposed levy and the tray equivalent basis equated to 85 per cent support. The total production of growers who voted accounted for 53 per cent of eligible voters' total production of the foregone season. Votes were cast by 42 per cent of growers eligible to vote in the referendum.

Kiwifruit growers first voted to establish a kiwifruit commodity levy to fund the operation of NZKGI in 2011. Since that time, it has achieved a series of significant outcomes for growers such as the Kiwifruit Industry Strategy Project which includes ensuring that Zespri achieves long-term market, strategic and financial performance for the industry.

The levy will be used to continue to fund the operations of NZKGI and in addition, there will be significant new activity in the areas of communications and performance monitoring. The levy is set at 1c/tray ($0.0028/kg) and can only be increased by vote at a NZKGI AGM or Special General Meeting.

NZKGI has informed the Minister for Primary Industries, Nathan Guy of the result and will be applying to the Minister's office for a new levy order that would run through to 2024.