Tribute to an industry leader

Dr Stuart Davis. Photo / Supplied

LeaderBrand and the horticultural industry is mourning the loss of industry leader Dr Stuart Davis who died last week.

Davis started his career in the Wattie’s group, then moved to LeaderBrand in Gisborne, before returning home to Pukekohe as LeaderBrand’s sustainability manager.

LeaderBrand chief executive Richard McPhail said Davis’ scientific knowledge, environmental drive and commercial pragmatism were a winning formula.

“There are few leaders who have had the impact and have driven as much change for our industry as Stuart,” McPhail said.

“His fingerprints will last for decades to come and we have all been extremely fortunate to have had his wise counsel.”

Davis worked for LeaderBrand for more than 25 years.

He managed technical and operational areas at LeaderBrand Gisborne, then shifted to the company’s Pukekohe farm to ensure its environmental projects were on track and getting done.

“He managed everything from the Regenerative Farming Project, riparian planting, biodiversity project, emissions, nitrogen, as well as water efficiency projects, and so much more,” McPhail said.

He also dedicated his time for more than 10 years as a director of Vegetables NZ, chaired the Vegetable Research & Innovation Board, helping co-ordinate research investment across multiple vegetable product groups, and played a key role in shaping A Lighter Touch - a programme supporting growers to shift from a reliance on agri-chemistry to more sustainable crop protection practices.

“There is nothing Stuart didn’t know about growing vegetables,” McPhail said. “His knowledge and dedication have made the industry a better place ... in particular his work in Integrated Pest Management - a piece of work that is highly respected and is now used throughout the industry.

“Stuart gave us the momentum and the tools to change farming systems towards more sustainable practices without losing economic benefits.”

Davis’ last project, an initiative that he was championing for many years, was the work around the Makauri aquifer recharge in Gisborne to ensure water security for the region.

“He was proud that it had received recognition and was proven as a scientific option for solving water issues. His brainchild now has a team working on completing his vision.

“Most of all, Stuart was an extremely proud father to Michael and Simon. He was always telling colleagues about his boys’ success, whether it was Michael competing in taekwondo and, more recently, in video game development, or Simon’s performing arts.

“He was also immensely proud that Simon was with him on the night he was awarded the Bledisloe Cup.”

Horticulture NZ last year awarded Davis the Bledisloe Cup in recognition of his 35 years and more of outstanding and meritorious contributions to the horticulture industry in New Zealand.

This year he was made a life member of Horticulture NZ.

Davis also loved music and was a passionate sports fan.

“He had a very dry wit, always with a quick one-liner,” McPhail said.

“Stuart was an all-round top bloke. We will all miss him.”