Davis has contributed over 35 years to New Zealand’s horticulture industry including in areas of sustainability and pest management
LeaderBrand and the New Zealand horticulture industry has mourned the loss of industry leader, Stuart Davis.
Richard McPhail, LeaderBrand’s CEO, said that 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. We have all been extremely fortunate to have had his wise counsel.”
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.
He also championed the industry and dedicated his time for more than ten 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”.
“There is nothing Stuart didn’t know about growing vegetables,” McPhail added. “His knowledge and dedication have made the industry a better place. In particular, his work in Integrated Pest Management. This piece of work is highly respected and is now used throughout the industry.
“He had a dogged determination to make the industry more productive and better for the environment. He often did the work that others didn’t want to do, but he knew that the long-term effects would outlive us all.
“Stuart gave us the momentum and the tools to change farming systems towards more sustainable practices without losing economic benefits.
“People in our team and the wider industry sought out Stuart’s sage advice and counsel. He was the expert leader in numerous aspects of horticulture. He was always generous with his time and considered with his recommendations. His connections were extensive, and his projects were extensive across LeaderBrand and the entire sector, always balancing both.”
Davis worked for LeaderBrand for more than 25 years. In this time, he has managed technical and operational areas at LeaderBrand Gisborne before moving to the Pukekohe farm to ensure the company’s 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.
“His 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,” McPhail said.
“Most of all, Stuart was an extremely proud father to Michael and Simon. He was always telling colleagues about his boy’s 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.
“He also loved music and was a passionate sports fan. He had a very dry wit, always with a quick one-liner. Stuart was an all-round top bloke. We will all miss him.”
Last year, Davis was awarded The Bledisloe Cup by Horticulture New Zealand recognising his 35 years and more of outstanding and meritorious contributions to the horticulture industry in New Zealand.
This year, he was awarded Horticulture New Zealand Life Membership.
