LATEST VOTE RECEIVES STRONG REPORT AND POTATO GROWERS FACE BRIGHT FUTURE, SAYS ASSOCIATION.
THE majority of growers in New Zealand have voted to keep a levy-funded industry association.
Every six years growers are required to vote in the Commodity Levy to establish continued support for the funding mechanism of the association, Potatoes New Zealand. The last vote was in 2018 and the 2024 vote took place at the beginning of May.
Following the vote, Potatoes New Zealand stated that it had been given “a strong mandate” by potato growers to work on its behalf for the next six-year potato levy cycle.
The Declaration of Result was provided by the independent Returning Officer, Warwick Lampp, of Electionz.com. Of those who voted, 94.74% of growers supported the proposed levy, equating to 95.83% of gross sales value of the foregone season. Votes were cast by 54.68% of growers eligible to vote in the referendum.
These results compare to the previous levy referendum in 2018 of which 81.69% of voters supported the proposed levy and their gross sales value equated to 88.56% support. Votes were cast by 41.04% of growers eligible to vote in the referendum.
PNZ Chair Paul Olsen said the potato industry has experienced various challenges, including increased regulations and pressure across the whole supply chain, but the future looks promising.
“This great result reflects the work that Potatoes New Zealand has delivered and will continue to deliver for growers. It is especially pleasing to see that potatoes growers got to have their say to shape the future of the potato industry,” he said.
Potatoes New Zealand CEO Kate Trufitt said: “We thank growers and are very pleased with this support they have shown for Potatoes New Zealand to continue to represent and advocate for them. Our organisation is primarily focused on the interests of growers, and ensuring they are receiving maximum benefit from the industry structure. I encourage all growers to continue to contact us to make sure that our organisation is focusing on issues important to them.”
Potato growers first voted to establish a potato commodity levy to fund the operation of Potatoes New Zealand in 2012. Since that time, the organisation advocates for growers in national and local Government decision-making, young growers and succession planning for the industry, representation of the industry at an international level and communication to growers on business-critical issues. Potatoes New Zealand will inform the Minister’s office and will apply for a new levy order.
