New Zealand kiwifruit growers have voted overwhelmingly to retain the industry's unique marketing structure, despite moves by a 'small vocal minority” to undermine it.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc president Neil Trebilco says the 98 per cent support for the single point of entry structure under which Zespri has the exclusive right to market New Zealand-grown fruit to all countries except Australia, is unprecedented.

Growers voted overwhelmingly to keep the industry's marketing structure in place. Photo: File.

'The support for the SPE is now the highest it has been since its creation in 1988,” says Neil.

'This puts into perspective the small vocal minority who have been constantly attacking the industry's single desk structure. This small group should now respect that growers have overwhelmingly declared their support for the SPE.”

Support for the continuation of the SPE was one of several questions voted on by growers in the Kiwifruit Industry Strategy Project referendum which attracted a record voter turn-out.

KISP's Independent Chairman, Neil Richardson, says the voter turn-out and interim results were outstanding and are a clear sign that New Zealand kiwifruit growers are united in their vision for the future of their industry.

'Two-thirds of growers, representing 80 per cent of production, voted in the KISP referendum,” he explains.

'This compares to an average voter turn-out in primary industry of around 40 per cent.

'This turnout, combined with over 90 per cent grower support for all proposals, means growers have delivered an overwhelming mandate for the future ownership, control and structure of the New Zealand kiwifruit industry through the KISP process.

'New Zealand kiwifruit growers should be very proud that they can deliver such a united front in support of a collective vision for their future.”

Neil Trebilco says with grower support for all recommendations in excess of 90 per cent, kiwifruit growers are sending a very clear signal to NZKGI, Zespri, and the government on how they want their industry structured.

'I am confident all parties can work together to deliver on this request by growers,” he says.

'Over 90 per cent of growers support the recommendation that the government make certain regulatory changes, including allowing Zespri shareholders to amend their own constitution.

'I have full confidence that the government will respect the wishes of growers, and implement their requests.”

NZKGI will also be implementing a range of recommendations from the referendum. These recommendations include expanding the organisation's role to measure and report on the performance of the SPE.

There was also 94 per cent support for changes to the name and structure of NZKGI from growers. These adjustments will be put in place over the coming year following the confirmation of final results.”

The key results in the referendum were:

• 98% of growers supporting the industry's Single Point of Entry structure
• 92% of growers supporting the implementation of a cap on Zespri share-holding
• 91% of growers supporting a change to how Zespri is funded to maximise returns to New Zealand growers
• 94% of growers supporting changes to their industry representation to ensure they determine grower equity decisions about grower payments

The final votes of the referendum, which closed on Friday March 20, would be known once all postal votes were received and processed by electionz.com, the independent company employed to conduct the grower referendum.

The interim results can be seen at: www.kisp.co.nz.