Prime Minister John Key has opened Zespri's new sales and marketing hub in Singapore which has been set up to manage the kiwifruit industry's strong export growth.
Mr Key joined a delegation of Maori kiwifruit growers on a marketing visit to Asia for a traditional Maori blessing of the new office and its whakiro/carving. Kaumatua Ngaropo Pouroto blessed the office and the carving Te Tipuranga by Tauranga-based carver James Tapiata, which symbolises the connection to Zespri's roots in the Bay of Plenty region in New Zealand.
Zespri chairman Peter McBride said: "Volumes of Zespri SunGold kiwifruit are set to grow strongly in the next few years and Zespri is investing in its market capability to deliver this growth for New Zealand growers.
"This Singapore hub is the market-side base for our global sales and marketing leadership team." The head office of the kiwifruit export marketing entity is in Tauranga, with 80 per cent of New Zealand's kiwifruit grown in the Bay of Plenty.
"Being market-driven is fundamental to our success as a global brand and this office in Singapore supports our global connectedness and the market-centric approach of our industry."
Mr McBride said Zespri had created new global executive roles which had replaced previous executive positions in Europe and Asia, with Zespri president of global sales and marketing Daniel Mathieson and general manager marketing Carol Ward relocating from other offices with the establishment of the new hub. The new office will have a staff of 12 and expands on a previous in-market presence going back eight years.
