Hans Doevendans receives NZ Apples & Pears Inc industry award for Outstanding Contribution

Hans Doevendans’ outstanding contributions to the pipfruit industry were recognised at the NZAPI conference this August

At the national pipfruit industry conference held in Nelson in August, Hans Doevendans received the prestigious Outstanding Contribution award.

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Past recipients of the award include researchers, scientists, advisors, industry advocates, growers and officials.

“Hans has never been afraid to remind us what our role is,” says NZAPI market access manager Danielle Adsett. “A stickler for requiring what is right, he has always gone into battle over what is right and fair. He is

strongly principled, passionate, caring and has made an immense contribution to our industry.”

Hans’ impact in the industry has come through his work for over 20 years as a practitioner in Quality, Lean and Ministry Approved Organisation (MAO) systems. He wrote the industry manual on GLOBALG.A.P, rewrote the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) market access workplan, was part of a working group that brought together the first and subsequent versions of the Market Declaration System – which all industry relies upon to access export markets. He is an industry expert in quality systems including MAO, GLOBALG.A.P and BRCGS (Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards).

“Hans has the ability to communicate quite challenging and complex material in a clear and concise way,” says Danielle. Hans is the current chair of the industry’s Market Access advisory group and recently stepped in as temporary cover for NZAPI’s market access manager. Crasborn Fresh Harvest’s James Joe says that in the two decades he has worked for Hans, he has made “immeasurable impact” on both the company and the wider apple and pear industry.

“Hans is a passionate advocate for orchards, packers and exporters through his skills in systems including Quality, market access, phytosanitary, production and Lean for horticulture. There are very few managers who through their leadership, enable and support their workers giving them the opportunity to develop and grow like Hans does,” says James. “Hans has a deep theoretical and practical knowledge of the New Zealand pipfruit industry and has made a measurable impact on its success over many years”, says NZAPI chief executive Terry Meikle. “He is a hard-working and passionate advocate for the industry and a very deserving recipient of this award.”