HortNZ’s new Chief Executive

Horticulture New Zealand appoints new Chief Executive

The desire to work for an organisation that does critical work for growers is what made Nadine Tunley want to take on the role as chief executive for Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ).

“I chose to join HortNZ because I wanted to continue the really critical work of the organisation to improve things for growers,” Ms Tunley said.

“Growers across the country are under immense pressure. There are widespread labour shortages, central government proposals around climate change and freshwater are many and often confusing, local government plan change proposals are constant, and then you have the weather. Growers have had several severe weather events already this year.”

She said her role as the leader of HortNZ is to work with product groups and organisations such as IrrigationNZ to ensure growers can focus on what they do best: grow fresh, healthy food for New Zealanders and the rest of the world.

“The irony here is that is what the government says it needs growers to do, to ensure New Zealand’s economic recovery post-Covid and to make sure the country meets its climate change goals and commitments.”

“However, if there’s no land or water to grow the fruit and vegetables, and no labour to plant, pick and pack this wonderful produce, there’s no way that our growers will be able to contribute to the Government’s goals for New Zealand as a society and country.”

Ms Tunley is known to many in the horticulture sector having been primarily in the apple and pear industry since 2000. Nadine was Chair of NZ Apples & Pears Inc from August 2012 until April 2018, and was a director from 2010. Her involvement in this industry began just prior to deregulation in 2001, when Nadine was tasked with exporting some of the first shipments made outside of the single desk model.

She started out in horticulture with the Heartland Group, which she credits for the solid foundation of knowledge, skills and tenacity often required to achieve change and progress.

After she then went on to found, with her business partner, marketing company, Energie Produce Ltd, which exported mixed produce to more than 34 countries globally. That company was sold to Freshmax NZ Ltd in 2013, and became its Global Exports Manager. She is also a Director of Scales Corporation Ltd, Plant & Food Research, the Strong Wool Action Group, and was a member of the Primary Sector Council.

Nadine Tunley, Horticulture New Zealand.

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