List of Contacts and Other Information
Companies Office Contacts |
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Companies Office Call Centre |
Wellington |
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Auckland |
Christchurch |
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Hamilton |
Dunedin |
Technology New Zealand Offices |
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Wellington Office |
Auckland Office |
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Christchurch Office |
Freephone within New Zealand |
Crown Research Institutes |
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New Zealand Pastoral Agriculture Research Institute Ltd (AgResearch) |
Manaaki Whenua |
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Crop and Food Research Ltd |
Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand (HortResearch) |
Universities |
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University of Auckland |
University of Canterbury |
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University of Waikato |
Lincoln University |
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University of Otago |
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Victoria University of Wellington |
Massey University |
Procedure for New Product Groups seeking Recognition under the HEA Act 1987
Recognition is in the form of an Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the Governor General. The Ministers before making a recommendation need to be satisfied:
- that the Product Group is suitable;
- that those affected by the request, i.e., growers, exporters and other industry participant have been informed of the fact and nature of the request (Product Group will need to demonstrate this);
- that reasonable time for making of representation concerning the request has elapsed;
- that it would be in the interest of the export marketing of the product that the order be made.
An industry body can elect to come under HEA at anytime so long as there is sufficient industry support for this to happen. Equally a Recognised Product Group can exit HEA by simply notifying the HEA and the Ministers and requesting the Order in Council be revoked under section 31 of the Act.
For a successful application HEA strongly recommends that the industry group and HEA work together in conjunction with MAF Policy. It is also critical that the industry group has a good understanding of HEA and how the Product Group would operate under HEA.
The following guidelines outline the steps to be taken by a prospective product group coming under HEA.
A. Preliminary Meeting with HEA
Meet with HEA to discuss how HEA works, the strengths and weaknesses of HEA, the benefits and costs of being a Recognised Product Group (RPG) and the process and timeframe to become a RPG.
B. Product Group Formation
- Growers and exporters agree to form a Product Group. Where there are no current exporters, provision must be made for exporter representation within the Product Group.
- Meet with HEA to discuss an appropriate legal entity for the Product Group.
- Formation of the Product Group:
- Must be a legal entity, e.g., incorporated society or limited liability company.
- Where an existing legal entity exits this structure could be used, however, the rules/constitution would need to be amended to reflect the wider representation base, i.e., exporters and growers.
- Alternatively a new group, separate from the existing (grower) group could be formed.
There are two issues here:
- whether or not the existing structure adequately represents the growers and exporters of the product to be specified; and
- whether or not the industry believes its needs would be best met by a combined group i.e. growers and exporters representing the industry or whether a grower organisation separate from export business is retained.
C. Industry Consultation
Prior to making an application to the Ministers the Product Group must consult growers and exporters of the product and any other persons that would be affected by the making of an Order in Council.
The Product Group will need to document its consultations and demonstrate to the Ministers that reasonable efforts were made to inform the appropriate parties. Growers and exporters must be given a reasonable amount of time to make representations to the Ministers.
HEA strongly recommends that the Product Group consider the following process, which will provide evidence to the Ministers that the industry supports the application:
- compile an up-to-date and comprehensive list of growers and exporters
- widely publicise the intention to apply for Recognised Product Group status
- hold grower and exporter meetings
- send written information to growers and exporters
- publish articles in grower magazines and newsletters
- consider holding a support referendum.
D. Draft Application to HEA
In determining whether or not to recognise a product group the Ministers will have regard to the Authoritys views on the suitability of the group to be a Recognised Product Group as outlined in Section 25 (3) (e) of the Act.
Before making an application to the Ministers, the Product Group must first prepare a draft application (with HEAs assistance if required) for HEA to review. HEA will then liaise with MAF Policy on the draft application.
If the Product Group wishes to have the Authoritys support for the application then it is essential that this step be followed.
E. Formal Request to the Ministers
Once HEA has given its sign-off for the draft application, the Product Group can then proceed with its formal request to the Ministers as outlined below.
- Letter to the Ministers
Write to the Ministers (Agriculture & Foreign Affairs and Trade) requesting:
- that the group be recognised as the Product Group under section 25 of the Act
- the product(s) to be "prescribed" under the Act (Genus & species)
- whether any variety/cultivar is to be excluded
- whether export licensing under part 3 of the Act is to apply.
- Product Group Information
The following information on the prospective Product Group needs to be supplied to satisfy the Ministers that the Product Group is suitable and that it would in the best interest of the export marketing of the product.
- name and legal form, e.g. incorporated society
- membership and representation (names of members, who they represent & method of election)
- the proportion of growers and exporters represented by the Product Group (of the known total number of active producers and exporters of the product)
- the existence, size and nature of any other group(s)
- the existing and any proposed method of funding of the prospective recognised Product Group
- general information about the product:
- area grown, present & forecast
- number of growers and their geographic distribution.
- Industry Information
- Industry Consultations
- Publicity of the Application
Comments on the " state of the industry" and any current problems or issues, explaining why it would be in the interest of export marketing of the product for the group to be recognised and for export licensing to apply.
Specify the industry meetings and conferences that have been held to discuss the request to become a Recognised Product Group under HEA. Also provide evidence of other forms of consultations, e.g., written information and support referendum.
At the time of application to the Ministers, the Product Group will need to publicise the fact and intent of the application (i.e., which product and whether licensing will apply). List the newspapers, journals and magazines into which the Product Group intends putting public notices advertising the request to become a Recognised Product Group under the HEA Act. All growers, exporters and other persons affected need to be aware of the application and must be given the opportunity to participate in the consultative process.
F. Export Licensing
If the Product Group is to be subject to export licensing, the Ministers must be advised that an EMS is being formulated by exporters and growers, with the assistance of the Authority. Once the Order in Council has been made the EMS can be formally submitted to the Authority for its approval.
G. Export Marketing Strategy
All Recognised Product Groups intending to license exporters under the HEA Act must have a current Export Marketing Strategy (EMS) that has been approved by HEA.
The EMS is an industry document that creates a strategy on which an industry can base its export focus. The EMS outlines the strategic direction and sets the rules that govern the industrys operations and development for the export sector. The EMS aims to provide direction for the industry, set minimum standards for exporters, export growers and export packhouses and ultimately improve participants' performance.
The EMS is a powerful document in setting matters that are required to be adhered to by industry participants. HEAs ability to administer the EMS is diminished if the EMS is not clearly written.
The Product Group in consultation with all industry participants develops the EMS. To be effective the EMS needs to have ownership and commitment by all parties i.e. growers, packers and exporters and are approved by the HEA.
The HEA Board will only approve an EMS if:
- there has been adequate consultation
- there is general consensus of the EMS
- if the terms of the EMS are reasonable, and
- the long-term effectiveness of the industry is improved.
Once HEA approves the EMS a date will be set by HEA when it is to come into force, at which point industry participants must comply with the conditions prescribed in the EMS. Failure to
comply with the EMS by an exporter may be seen as prejudicial to the EMS by the HEA. This means that the exporter has conducted export operations that could threaten or undermine the industrys reputation and therefore diminish current and future grower export returns.
Where the Authority first approves an EMS the Authority will place a notice in the Gazette specifying the date on which it was approved and the date for coming into force. From the date of coming into force any person who wishes to export the prescribed product will be required to hold an export licence. Notice of the EMS coming into force will also be published in trade journals. As soon as practical the Authority will supply a copy of the EMS to all existing exporters of the product.
When amendments to the EMS are approved, the Authority will confirm its decision to the Product Group and request the Product Group to circulate a revised copy to all licensed exporters. The Product Group will be required to supply a signed declaration to HEA that this has been completed.
For more details on making an EMS, please request a copy of HEAs Export Marketing Guidelines.
Definitions Under the NZ HEA Act 1987
"Product group", in relation to a product, means an association or body of persons consisting of producers, or both producers and exporters, of that product.
"Recognised product group", in relation to any prescribed product, means the product group that is named as the recognised product group for that product in an Order in Council made under section 24 of the HEA Act.
"Prescribed product" means a product declared by Order in Council made under section 24 of the HEA Act.
"Product" means
- plants of any cultivar, species, or variety; or
- the unprocessed bulbs, corms, flowers, fruit, leaves, roots, seeds, stems, or tubers, of plants of any cultivar, species, or variety; or
- any growing material used in horticultural production composed (wholly or substantially) of bark, ponga, or a mixture of both.
"Processed", in relation to a product, means
- an applied change to the natural state of the product by
- an alteration to the chemical structure of the product, whether by blanching, cooking, the addition of preservatives, or by other means; or
- a physical change to the product by the additional or removal or extraction of any material part, whether the chemical structure of the product is altered or not; but
- excludes
- the rendering into a chilled or frozen state of the genus Frugari (strawberries), the genus Rubus (raspberries, boysenberries, and other brambles), the genus Vaccinium (which term includes blueberries), or the genus Ribes (currants and gooseberries); and
- the rendering of sphagnum moss into a dried state.
Making an Order-in-Council Under the Horticulture Export Authority Act 1987: Procedures

Regional Economic Development Agencies
(Members of Economic Development Association of New Zealand [EDANZ])
|
Contact |
Postal Address |
Street Address |
Phone/Fax/Email |
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Ms Sandi Morrison |
Alexandra Associates |
21 Newhaven Terrace |
Ph: 09 478 6789; 025 906 466 |
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Mr Murray Cleverley |
Aoraki Development Trust |
Cnr Stafford & |
Ph: 03 688 9907 |
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Mr Gerard Gallagher |
Ashburton Enterprise Agency |
131 Havelock Street |
Ph: 03 308 0290 |
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Mr Greig Duncan |
Auckland City Council |
1 Greys Avenue |
Ph: 09 373 6254 |
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Ms Yvonne Powley |
Auckland New Ventures (Inc) |
54-56 Hobson Street |
Ph: 09 366 0860 |
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Ms Davene Vroon |
Buller District Council |
Brougham Street |
Ph: 03 789 6022 |
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Mr Chris Pickrill |
Canterbury Development |
193 Cashel Street |
Ph: 03 379 5575 |
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Ms Clare Nolan |
Capital Development Agency |
Level 1 MOB |
Ph: 04 801 3222 |
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Mr Bill Dolan |
Central Otago District Council |
1 Dunorling Street |
Ph: 03 448 9916; 025 379 756 |
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Mr Murray Brass |
Clutha District Council |
52 Wilson Road |
Ph: 03 418 4886 |
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Mr Damien ONeill |
Dunedin City Council |
50 The Octagon |
Ph: 03 477 4000 |
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Ms Ann Verboeket |
EDANZ |
Local Government Bldg |
Ph: 04 473 9984 |
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Mr Ian Madden |
Economic Development Agency |
Old Post Office |
Ph: 07 577 3070 |
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Mr Tony Rush |
Enterprise Horowhenua |
Information House |
Ph: 06 367 0524 |
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Mr Terry Hoskins |
Enterprise North Shore |
Unit 3, 100 Bush Road |
Ph: 09 414 1341 |
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Mr Clyde Rogers |
Enterprise Waitakere |
3rd Floor |
Ph: 09 837 1855 |
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Mr Geoff Hintz Chief Executive |
Enterprise Wanganui |
187 Victoria Avenue |
Ph: 06 348 0333 |
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Ms Gaelle Deighton Chief Executive |
Enterprising Manukau |
CST Management Centre |
Ph: 09 277 7646 |
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Ms Irene Steiner |
Franklin Enterprise Agency |
Cnr Roulston Street and |
Ph: 09 238 4420 |
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Mr Rick Mansell |
Gisborne District Council |
66 Reads Quay |
Ph: 06 867 2049 |
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Mr Frank Ash |
Grey District Council |
Tainui Street |
Ph: 03 768 5775 |
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Ms Heather Claycomb |
Hamilton City Council |
Council Offices |
Ph: 07 838 6803; 025 914 469 |
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Mr Chris Hale |
Hauraki District Council |
William Street |
Ph: 07 862 8609 |
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Ms Clare Hadley |
Hutt City Council |
30 Laings Road |
Ph: 04 570 6920 |
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Ms Melanie Roberts |
Kaipara District Council |
42 Hokianga Rd |
Ph: 09 439 7059 |
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Mr Geoff Cole |
Kapiti Coast District Council |
175 Rimu Road |
Ph: 04 904 5697 |
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Mr David Barnes |
Local Government NZ |
Level 6 |
Ph: 04 470 0015 |
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Ms Patricia Grylls |
Marlborough Small Business |
1b Main Street |
Ph: 03 578 0624 |
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Mr Geoff Copps |
Masterton Business Enterprise |
110 Dixon Street |
Ph: 06 378 8010 |
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Mr Ron Massey |
Napier City Council |
Hastings Street |
Ph: 06 834 4193 |
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Mr Richard Butler |
Nelson City Council |
110 Trafalgar Street |
Ph: 03 546 0420 |
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Ms Cayti Whitton |
Northland Grow |
113 Bank Street |
Ph: 09 438 5110 |
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Mr Richard Jefferies/ |
Opotiki Development Project |
Church Street |
Ph: 07 315 5494 |
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Mr Mark Worsop |
Pacific Business Trust |
731-737 Great South Rd |
Ph: 09 270 1003 |
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Ms Fiona Wilson |
Palmerston North City Council |
The Square |
Ph: 06 356 8199 |
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Mr Richard Lumsden |
Papakura District Enterprise |
2 Queen St |
Ph: 09 298 1828 |
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Mr Jim Wallace |
Porirua Business |
Enterprise Centre |
Ph: 04 237 5590 |
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Mr Matt Hoskin |
Prospect Southland |
6th Floor |
Ph: 03 218 6111 |
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Mr Ross Stanway |
Rotorua District Council |
Hinemaru Street |
Ph: 07 348 4199 |
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Mr Ken Hill |
Ruapehu District Council |
Huia Street |
Ph: 07 895 8188; 025 993 448 |
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Mr Douglas Marshall |
Selwyn District Council |
High Street |
Ph: 03 324 8080 |
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Mr Alan Shields |
South Waikato District Council |
3 Torphin Crescent |
Ph: 07 886 1759 |
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Mr Wayne Hutchinson |
Southland District Council |
15 Forth Street |
Ph: 03 218 7259 |
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Ms Sheila Shewry |
Taupo District Council |
66 Paora Hapi Street |
Ph: 07 376 0405 |
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Mr Brett Parker |
Te Puni Kokiri |
143 Lambton Quay |
Ph: 04 922 6017 |
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Mr Michael Baines |
Upper Hutt Economic |
838-842 Fergusson Dr |
Ph: 04 527 2123 |
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Mr Stuart Trundle |
Venture Taranaki |
41-43 Molesworth St |
Ph: 06 759 5150; 06 759 5153; 025 544 577 |
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Miss Karen Cooper |
Vision 2020 Inc |
Ground Floor |
Ph: 06 870 7033 |
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Ms Robyn Steel |
Waimakariri District Council |
215 High Street |
Ph: 03 313 6136 |
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Ms Mylrea Bell |
Wanaka Work Initiative |
14 Dunmore Street |
Ph: 03 443 8547 |
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Mr Philip Shackleton |
Wanganui District Council |
101 Guyton St |
Ph: 06 3490001 |
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Mr Chris Elliott |
Westland District Council |
36 Weld Street |
Ph: 03 755 8322 |
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Ms Mary Hermanson |
Whakatane District Council |
6 Richardson Street |
Ph: 07 308 6722 |
