Christchurch, New Zealand – 14 August 2025:
Industry veteran John Jackson’s contribution to New Zealand horticulture has been recognised with a Potatoes New Zealand Life Member Award at last night’s Potato Industry Awards 2025 ceremony.
John’s work has positioned him as one of the country’s foremost authorities on potato seed and potato processing operations. In addition, he has been a long-serving Potatoes New Zealand board director since the creation of Potatoes New Zealand. He also spearheaded the Canterbury Potato Liberibacter Initiative (CPLI) to combat crop losses caused by the Tomato Potato Psyllid biosecurity incursion.
John’s remarkable career spans nearly 50 years in horticulture and over 35 years specifically within the potato industry. His journey began in the 1970s as a pea viner driver for J Wattie Canneries in Timaru, where he progressed through the ranks to become a Field Officer before relocating to Christchurch.
His expertise led to his appointment as agronomy and head field officer with Alpine Foods in Timaru, and subsequently with McCain Foods following their acquisition of Alpine Foods in 1990.
During his distinguished 30-year tenure with McCain Foods, John became instrumental in developing processing sectors for peas, corn, carrots, and potatoes across New Zealand and Australia.
His role encompassed supporting new vegetable growers entering the industry, and within Canterbury, he has maintained industry involvement longer than all but two of McCain Foods’ original potato suppliers.
Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Jackson has been a driving force in advancing New Zealand’s broader potato industry. He collaborated extensively with seed companies to introduce new varieties suited to chipping and storage, whilst overseeing potato seed purchasing and storage for McCain Food’s grower network.
John’s governance contributions have been equally significant. In 2012, he joined the interim committee that restructured New Zealand’s potato industry governance, leading to the formation of Potatoes New Zealand. He served as an elected industry representative on the Potatoes New Zealand Board until 2024, chairing the Audit and Risk Committee and bringing invaluable experience to strategic decision-making.
His commitment to improving seed quality culminated in helping establish the Potato Seed Co-operative Limited in 2017, transferring potato seed purchasing, storage, and supply operations from McCain Foods to a process grower-owned entity. As a board member at the co-operative, John has overseen the delivery of a purpose-built cool storage facility in Ashburton and the recent acquisition of automated optical grading equipment.
Perhaps most notably, John led the groundbreaking CPLI project, created in August 2021 to combat the devastating impact of the Liberibacter bacterium which causes Zebra-chip in potato crops. Funded by Canterbury growers and processors with support from Potatoes New Zealand, the initiative has produced world-leading research into the Tomato Potato Psyllid—the disease vector— with Lincoln University and Plant & Food Research (now the Bioeconomy Science Institute). Findings are already being implemented on farms across the region.
The Life Member Award recognises outstanding career contributions within the Potato Industry Awards programme, which celebrates excellence whilst raising public awareness of potatoes’ value, versatility, and nutritional benefits.
John’s legacy encompasses not only his technical expertise and industry leadership but also his unwavering commitment to supporting fellow growers and advancing research that protects New Zealand’s vital potato industry for future generations.