New Zealand grower-exporter and associated companies enter voluntary administration following liquidation of subsidiary
Top New Zealand apple grower-exporter Kiwi Crunch Hawke’s Bay has entered voluntary administration, according to a report from RNZ.
Several other associated entities, including Kiwi Crunch Exports, Kiwi Crunch Orchards, Kiwi Crunch Farms, Kiwi Crunch Nurseries, and KC IP were also placed into voluntary administration at the same time.
The move follows recent news that Kiwi Crunch subsidiary Crasborn Fresh Harvest was placed in liquidation by the New Zealand High Court, on the application of the commissioner of Inland Revenue. Crasborn Fresh Harvest, reportedly owed a debt of more than NZ$19mn to Inland Revenue.
Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers’ Association president Brydon Nisbet told RNZ that growers were still managing the flow-on effects of significant disruptions such as Covid and Cyclone Gabrielle, and any potential job losses were a concern for the industry.
“It’s never nice when companies go into liquidation or receivership, and it just means there’s often job losses and families that are affected,” said Nisbet.
“It’s hard nowadays with the increasing cost of labour and compliance, and also the uncertainty of export returns all make it an industry that’s not easy to navigate so it’s just really unfortunate that this has happened.”
Ecovis director Gareth Russel Hoole was appointed voluntary administrator of Kiwi Crunch Hawke’s Bay.
