Hawke's Bay fruitgrower stands for Hort NZ's Board

Hawke's Bay Fruitgrowers' Association president Lesley Wilson on her orchard in Puketapu.

A Hawke's Bay fruitgrower is one of four candidates vying for two positions on the Horticulture New Zealand Board.

Lesley Wilson, current president of the Hawke's Bay Fruitgrowers' Association, has put her hand up for the elections, with voting closing on May 28.

"We haven't had such a strong contest for some time and the calibre of candidates is an indication of how well horticulture is doing and the high profile the industry is enjoying on the back of that success," said Horticulture New Zealand President Julian Raine.

John Cook is standing down from the nine-member board and not offering himself for re-election.

Mike Smith is offering himself for re-election, while new candidates for the vacant roles are Kathryn de Bruin, Bernadine Guilleux, and Wilson.

Wilson, an orchardist in Puketapu, has been involved in areas surrounding the health, well-being, and future prosperity of horticulture.

Mike Smith has been involved in the kiwifruit industry for 20 years and currently grows kiwifruit in Welcome Bay, near Tauranga. He has been a Horticulture New Zealand director since 2015.

Kathryn de Bruin is a grower, employer, chartered accountant, and experienced board member from Dargaville where, together with her husband, she grows kumara and runs cattle and store lambs.

Bernadine Guilleux has been immersed in horticulture since childhood, as her father and his brothers established their Balle Bros operation in Pukekohe, where she is currently the group's marketing manager.

Horticulture New Zealand represents over 5,000 commercial fruit and vegetable growers who employ about 60,000 people, making a significant contribution to New Zealand's economy.

Directors are elected for a three-year term and any active grower member of Horticulture New Zealand can vote. The election results will be announced on 1 June 2018.