The New Zealand Avocado Growers’ Association (NZAGA) has appointed Ashby Whitehead as its new chairman.

The Te Puke orchardist replaces John Schnackenberg, who announced he would be stepping down from the role in May and will continue as a grower representative on the NZAGA Executive.

'I am excited about the excellent opportunities available for avocados from New Zealand but also very aware of the challenges we face as an industry,” Whitehead said.

“I look forward to leading the industry through this phase of change and improvement, with the development of new markets in Asia, building the nutritional platform for avocados and strengthening the avocado category in the New Zealand market,”

Whitehead has served as a NZAGA grower representative for the past seven years.

He has also been one of eight grower-elected directors on the Avocado Industry Council’s ten-member board since 2006.

Whitehead said he is taking on the role at a time of “major activity” in the New Zealand avocado industry.

“We are currently working on a business case for a primary growth partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries and also working closely with Plant & Food Research to submit a bid for avocado research funding from the Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment,” he said.

“The crown investment will allow us to significantly accelerate our projects, implement solutions to and create a far more profitable industry going forward.”

Tony Ponder has been elected as the new vice chairman of NZAGA, having served on the board since 2005.

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