Mike Chapman NZKGI Chief Executive

Kiwifruit is in for a challenging year. The financial turmoil in our markets offshore will make it harder to sell our fruit.

The very high NZ dollar will reduce the money that comes back to growers. In Te Puke and other regions with Psa, there are many hectares of Gold 16A being cut out or orchards producing their last Gold harvest.

These challenges cause stress. We need to know how to deal with stress. Your doctor is who you should seek assistance from. In addition, you can do the following to help reduce stress: Talk about your worries; eat well; exercise; spend time with friends and family; get enough sleep; get some enjoyment back in your life; and/or start to solve problems.

As an industry, we are planning to solve our problems. There's work developing a recovery pathway out of Psa and there are positive signs that what is being planned may well succeed.

The National Pest Management Strategy putting controls in place for the on-going management of Psa is well advanced. The plan is to have this in place midyear.

The pastoral and welfare support networks are being strengthened and we are discussion with the government to provide additional support. Our biggest concern is looking after the people in the industry and keeping them in the industry.

In January, NZ Kiwifruit Growers created a new position appointing an employment coordinator in the Bay of Plenty. The aim is to retain skilled kiwifruit industry workers in the region as the impact of the vine-killing disease Psa begins to spread. The role, which is funded by the Ministry of Social Development, will focus on meeting the skill and labour needs of employers in the kiwifruit industry by matching those who have lost their jobs as a result of Psa to other employment opportunities in the kiwifruit industry.

The key emphasis is on providing quality employment opportunities to improve sustainable employment outcomes for people and support skill retention in the kiwifruit industry.

Within our communities we all need to be on the lookout for stress in ourselves and our friends and colleagues. There are some excellent pamphlets, help lines and websites that help.

Some of the signs of stress are: Loss of enjoyment and interest in activities usually enjoyed; loss of energy and constant tiredness; persistent worrying about little things; changes in sleeping patterns: sleeping difficulties despite physical exhaustion or sometimes sleeping too much; indigestion or stomach upsets; muscle tension and pains (for example, lower back, chest, shoulders, joints, nervous ‘twitches' or muscle spasms); skin itches or rashes for no apparent reason; frequent sickness (for example, cold, flu and stomach bugs); shortness of breath or shallow breathing; memory or concentration problems; doing risky or careless things (excessive drinking, gambling, drug use); continuous feelings of anxiousness and tension for no obvious reason; feeling irritable, impatient or teary with no apparent reason; finding it hard to make decisions and concentrate; a sad mood that will not go away despite good things happening; loss of appetite or over-eating; and/or isolation by avoiding people, places and events.

If you are suffering any of these symptoms or know someone who is, go see your doctor.
You can also contact NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated, phone 07 574 7139 or visit
www.nzkgi.org.nz for a list of other support options.
Our priorities are our people and getting the kiwifruit industry back to prosperity.