Sir Brian Elwood (pictured) is the 2015 Fresh Carriers Hayward Medal recipient in recognition of the leadership he displayed as chairman of industry regulator Kiwifruit New Zealand over the past 10 years. The award followed Zespri's inaugural Kiwifruit Innovation Symposium in Mount Maunganui last week.
In his acceptance speech, SirBrian said the evidence showed the kiwifruit industry had succeeded in achieving a world-leading position in kiwifruit production and marketing.
"It survived good times and not-so-good times, been innovative and generally financially successful for participants and the New Zealand economy. An absolutely enviable achievement."
Sir Brian also noted the competitive nature of the industry with multiple independent growers, competition between vibrant, competing supply entities, and the ability to authorise exporters other than Zespri.
During Sir Brian's tenure, Kiwifruit NZ has considered more than 300 collaborative marketing applications. The success rate of collaborative marketing has increased, with 93per cent of applications approved over the past five years, up from 87per cent for the previous five-year period from 2005 to 2010.
Sir Brian enjoyed an extensive commercial and public service career, including eight years as chief ombudsman and 14 years as mayor of Palmerston North, and was made a CBE in 1985 and knighted in 1990.
Kiwifruit Industry Advisory Committee chairman, Zespri director and chairman of the Hayward Medal judging panel Paul Jones said Sir Brian had been "a key leader and influencer in the kiwifruit industry, which has doubled in value over the decade of his industry involvement".
"His skills have contributed directly to increasing the wealth of our industry."
