OvertheFence First woman appointed to lead growers association
Katikati’s Linda Flegg has been appointed thenew chairperson of theNew Zealand Avocado Growers’ Association Inc. Director of Morris Moore Farms orchard and the post-harvest companyKauripak, as well as aNew Zealand Avocado Grower Association (NZAGA) representative, Linda is the firstwomanto obtain this position in the 40-year history of the industry organisation.
While Linda believes it should be the best person for the role regardless of gender, she says she is happy that there are better support networks to enablewomento realise their potential, especially in horticulture.
“Womenhave to put their handup for leadership roles andmoreof us are doing that across the horticulture sector.”
Formally stepping into the role in October, Linda, was elected an NZAGArepresentative andNZ Avocado Industry director in 2016 and elected vice chair in 2018.
“Linda is absolutely the right choice, for the role of chair, her plentiful amount of experience in the industry, plus her knowledge as a packermeansshe is a great allrounder,” says Karen Pickford, NZ Avocado Industry director.
“Growing up as an avocado orchardist, she has awealth of knowledge and is very passionate about the sector. Kiwis and the world need good quality fruit and vegetables and I think horticulture is the future ofNewZealand.”
Linda says it is an exciting time to be inthe avocado industry, and is looking forward to being an integral part of enhancing the opportunities and tackling the challenges thatmay impact the industry.
“Environment and sustainability are going to be ahuge challenge and weare progressing work in that space. Ensuring that those coming into the industry are doing their due diligence so they are aware of the challenges as well as the opportunities is important. Avocado orchards are often a popular lifestyle choice, which is fine if you do not rely on orchard returns for your bread and butter.”
Orchardists are producing food so must meet strict food safety compliance, and for export must meet mandatory industry standards, she says. “Smaller holdings sometimes find these compliance costs expensive and challenging to managebut ensuring our food is safe is hugely important.”
Consumer expectation around the environmental sustainability of avocadosmayalso add additional costs tohowavocados are grown.
“On the flip side, the globaldemand for avocados is fantastic, and the growth in production inNewZealand will createmore jobs and attractmore people to the horticulture industry.”
Linda replaces TonyPonderwho steppeddownas chairman at the annual general meeting in August. Tonyserved as chair since 2017 having served 16 years on the board.
The role of chairwasone of three appointments of theNZAGA. Alistair Nicholsonwasappointed vice chairman, and Paula Kearns as a newly electedNZAGAAt-Large Representative andNZAvocado Industry director. The board ismade upof eight grower elected representatives and two exporter representatives. Paula joins Maria Watchorn, Karen Pickford, and Linda Flegg as female grower representatives.
“I stood for election for the AtLarge position because Iwanted to bringmystrategic and finance skills and experience. It is also fantastic to join such a diverse governance team and to have a great balance of people around the table,” says Paula, NZAGA representative andNZAvocado
Industry director.
The industrynowhas a female chair, three female boardmembers and a female CEO, reflecting the gender diversity within the industry.
“As a grower, as well as adirector, Inotice that at least half of the growers attending industry field days and events are female, so it is important this is reflected in our leadership. It is great to see the diversity of male and female leaders across the industry, complimenting one another and allowing collaborative, meaningful and progressive conversations,” says Maria Watchorn, NZAGA representative andNZAvocado Industry director.
Research commissioned by industry collectiveWomenin Horticulture shows significant gender disparity amongst senior roles inNew Zealand’s horticulture industry. Despitewomenrepresenting 50 percent of workers in the industry, theUMRstudy foundwomenheld less than 20 per cent of leadership positions, withwomenmissing from the top tables ofmanyofNew Zealand’s horticultural organisations. The avocado industry is leading the wayto bring better gender diversity into industry leadership.
Rebecca Fisher, executive manager of CitrusNZand aWomen in Horticulturemembersays, “The avocado industry is paving theway with a fantastic balance of leaders in governance.”