PNZ is starting a Levy Referendum consultation process. There are a series of meetings planned throughout the country during March and April. It is important for us to hear from Growers and Members during this process and we urge you to attend the meetings or make contact with us directly to hear your views. Please phone us on 0800 399 674 if you have any questions about any details in this newsletter.
Chairman’s update – Levy Referendum
2018 is an important year for PNZ. We are seeking your feedback on the continuation of the growers’ levy for the next six years through a Levy Referendum which will be held during April and May of this year. We are seeking to maintain the levy at the current rate. Please click here to read my update on the Potatoes Levy referendum – Stuart Wright
CEO’s strategic brief update – Closing on a Billion Dollars of Value
PNZ has three key strategic goals it is seeking to achieve as part of its Strategic Plan. This article highlights our performance to date against two of our goals: doubling export value and increasing domestic value by 50% by 2025. Click here to see full report on the current progress against strategic goals – Chris Claridge.
Voting eligibility
In order to be eligible to vote, growers need to have paid a levy to Potatoes NZ in the 12 months to 31 March, 2018, either directly to Potatoes NZ, or through an Agent (via a Buyer Created Invoice). We have notified all growers who are currently eligible to vote. If you have not received confirmation of voting eligibility, by the end of this week, and believe you are eligible to vote, please check your direct sales levy submission for the year. If you have not submitted a levy for your direct sales, download a click here to download a Levy Payment Form and forward to us by 31 March 2018 at accounts@potatoesnz.co.nz or call Justine on 0800 399 674.
Remember, if you have not paid a levy, you cannot vote. So please check your eligibility today.
Levy consultation meetings
Levy consultation meetings will be held over the next few weeks. This is an opportunity for growers to meet the CEO and board members and discuss any issues you may wish to raise. No need to book, so please just turn up.
In case of flight delays, or other unforeseen circumstances, we will update the website and text alearts with any changes to these, so please click here for the webpage updates
| Location | Date | Time | Venue |
| Whangarei | Tuesday 20 March | 12:00-2:00pm | Comfort Flames Hotel, 8 Waverley Street, Onerahi, Whangarei (Rata Room) |
| Pukekohe | Wednesday 21 March | 5:00-7:00pm | BNZ Partners Centre, 10 Massey Ave., Pukekohe |
| New Plymouth | Thursday 5 April | 2:00-4:00pm | Boardroom, BNZ Partners Centre, 13 Devon Street, New Plymouth East. |
| Ohakune | Monday 19 March | 4:00-6:00pm | Ohakune Fire Station, 26 Gold Finch Street, Ohakune. |
| Napier | Wednesday 21 March | 9:00-11:00am | Napier Conference Centre, 48 Marine Parade, Napier |
| Palmerston North | Monday 19 March | 10:00- 12:00pm | Opiki Hall, 919 Opiki Road, Opiki, Palmerston North. |
| Wellington | Wednesday 14 March | 2:00-4:00pm | Terrace Conference Centre, 114 The Terrace, Wellington |
| Nelson | Wednesday 4 April | 10:00-12:00pm | Club Waimea, Waimea Room, 345 Queen Street, Richmond. |
| Darfield | Wednesday 14 March | 8:00-10:00am | Farmlands Meeting Room, 40 South Terrace, Darfield. NB: Please park on the road NOT in the Farmlands carpark. |
| Ashburton | Tuesday 13 March | 5:00-7:00 pm | Hotel Ashburton , 35 Racecourse Road, Ashburton |
| Timaru | Monday 12 March | 12:30-2:30pm | Opuha Water Ltd, 875 Arowhenua Road, Timaru |
| Oamaru | Monday 12 March | 5:00-7:00pm | Galleon Complex, 500 Thames Highway, Oamaru |
| Invercargill | Wednesday 4 April | 5:00-7:00pm | IBIS Styles Invercargill, 15 Tay Street, Invercargill. |
Text Alerts – A new method of Communication
We will be sending out text alerts to growers regarding the meetings. These are targeted for each area, so you should only receive two, unless there is a change to the place or time, due to something unforeseen happening. If you do not wish to receive these alerts, just reply to the message with STOP, and you will be permanently removed from the list.
Levy Consultation Document – 30 Key Achievements
PNZ has prepared a Levy Consultation Document which highlights 30 key achievements over the last 5 years of the Growers’ Levy. Click here to download.
2018 Strategy and Business Plan
PNZ has completed its update of the 2018 Strategy and Business Plan. We have identified 21 strategic initiatives and a series of actions to achieve the strategic goals. We welcome any feedback you have on the strategy and plan. Click here to download.
Seed Potato Certification
The next meeting of the Seed Potato Certification Authority will be held at the Hotel Ashburton on 11th April, followed by a grower meeting starting at 3pm. We welcome the attendance of all growers. If you wish to raise any matters with the Authority, please contact a member or the Secretary. Further details will follow.
Area Planted Survey
The 2017 Area Planted Survey returns are now overdue – please submit as soon as possible. This survey provides us with information for valuing the industry. If you have not received one, please download a survey form from our website. Click here to download. Any questions please email Justine Croft on justine.croft@potatoesnz.co.nz or call her on 0800 399 674.
Export Statistics
2018 has started well for fresh potato exporters with weekly averages of 486 tonnes, earning $1,029 per tonne. Remember current and previous exports stats are available on the PNZ website.
- Fresh potato export report week 9, 2018
- Fresh potato export report week 8, 2018
- Fresh potato export report week 7, 2018
- Fresh potato export report week 6, 2018
- Fresh potato export report week 5, 2018
- Processed potato export summary – December 2017
- Processed potato export summary – January 2018