Dec 13, 2017 - The apple industry is still not sure of the cost of a fungicide contamination which has threatened to destroy 35 hectares of apples in Hawke's Bay and lop several million dollars off the value of the export harvest.
The issue first came to light when Nelson-based Adama New Zealand was alerted by a Hawke's Bay orchardist on October 5 to a potential issue with blemishes discovered on the leaves and young buds of some Royal Gala tree varieties.
The company, part of a world-leading crop protection group, began an investigation which led less than a fortnight later to the pre-emptive recall of cover spray Mancozeb.It was later found a batch imported from India contained fungicide Azoxystrobin — commonly used in the growing industry, but not for apples, and a complete no-no for the signature New Zealand variety of Royal Gala.
The fungicide caused russet on apple skins, knocked apples off trees prematurely and damaged leaves, and it was reported soon afterwards that 185 hectares had been affected, mainly in the Nelson region, where 20 growers were compromised, but also 35ha in Hawke's Bay, where nine growers were affected, understood to be primarily in the Havelock North area.
Adama NZ chief executive David MacGibbon said on November 3 when announcing the permanent recall of Mancozeb from sale, that while the product was not one produced by his company, he was "devastated" by the impact on growers who he said were "like family to us, many of us have known each other for decades".
"Mancozeb has been a widely used product in spring for apple growers since we started selling it 10 years ago," he said. "There have never been any issues before."
"However, we will not be selling it again as we have now lost our faith in its manufacturer. This is the only product they produce for us."
It doesn't affect last season's apples, which had been applied with previous uncontaminated batches of Adama Mancozeb, and the company is continuing to run tests heading towards harvest in the current season on all crops where the product has been used, and will further support growers, Mr MacGibbon said.
Hastings-based industry leader Alan Pollard, CEO of New Zealand Apples and Pears, which until April was known as Pipfruit New Zealand, said yesterday a tracking system managed to establish quickly which growers had received the rogue batch, but while it is now more than two months since the alarms were first sounded it would be still a while before the cost could be established.
Insurance risk assessors have been working with growers and the company, and costs are assessed on the "physical loss" (complete destruction) and "economic loss" which includes diminished value of fruit able to be salvaged but not able to be exported.
With almost 10,000ha of apple orchard nationwide, the area affected represents about 1.85 per cent, which Mr Pollard said may be the equivalent of stock lost most years because of hail damage, and some of the loss is being minimised by thinning.
But based on the value of last year's exports — about $800 million — export market losses in Hawke's Bay could be about $3 million.
The product at the centre of the problem was just one of several of its type and orchardists have had other options.
| A Hawkes Bay Today release || December 12, 2017 |||
Dec 12, 2017 - Lufthansa has unveiled the concept for its new Business Class cabin, which will debut on the Boeing 777-9 (777X) in 2020. The carrier says Business Class passengers can look forward to lie-flat beds with a length up to 220cm (86.6 inches). Its goal is to provide passengers with the “best and soundest sleep up above the clouds”, and the backrest has been designed to provide the best possible support and comfort, including when lying on your side.
Over 500 Lufthansa customers have provided in-depth support during the development process. Privacy and comfort while sleeping emerged as two of the most important passenger needs on international routes, and Lufthansa says both of these are “handled perfectly” with the new Business Class concept.
“The new, ultra-modern Lufthansa Business Class creates a new global benchmark,” said Harry Hohmeister, Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. “It offers our passengers a unique travel experience.
“We have consistently and continuously refined our range of premium products for our guests and modernised Lufthansa. Our focus is and has always been on the wishes of our customers and their specific needs. We want to provide them with the perfect travel experience. The new Business Class showcases the full innovative capacity of Lufthansa.”All Business Class passengers on Lufthansa’s 777-9s will have direct aisle access, thanks to the 1-2-1 and 1-1-1 configuration.
The 1-2-1 and 1-1-1 seat configuration will ensure all passengers have direct aisle access, and they will also have more personal and storage space. Passengers will also be able to control the in-flight entertainment system with their personal devices, and wireless device charging will be available.
Depending on their personal needs, passengers will be able to choose between a number of spatial configurations. For instance, they can choose to have an extended-length bed or a seat with twice as much desk space.
Lufthansa has also revealed that new exclusively-developed mattresses will be introduced in the Business Class cabin on long-haul flights from early-2018.
| AN FTE release || December 12, 2017 |||
Dec 12, 2017 - Fiji InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed a management agreement with Quantum Hi-Tech Group Limited to develop the largest hotel in Fiji, Crowne PlazaÒFiji Wailoaloa Beach.
Opening in 2020, the new 453-room Crowne Plaza Fiji Wailoaloa Beach will boast tranquil ocean views and feature direct access to the beach. The Crowne Plaza Fiji Wailoaloa Beach is located just a short ten-minute drive from Fiji’s main airport, Nadi International Airport.
With its prime beachfront location, leisure travellers will be able to unwind while enjoying unparalleled sunset views from one of the island’s finest beaches, right at their doorstep. Guests can also choose to relax and dine at any of the five restaurant and bar offerings at the resort, including a pool bar and a beach club. The resort will also feature one of the largest conference centres in Fiji, a fully-equipped 24-hour fitness centre, two swimming pools and a Kid’s Club among other exclusive resort facilities.
Rajit Sukumaran, Chief Development Officer, Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA), IHG said: “As the most popular travel destination in the South Pacific, the islands of Fiji accounts for close to 40 percent of travel to the South Pacific, a figure that continues to grow annually. In 2017 alone, Fiji recorded an increase of 7.8 percent in the number of international travellers visiting the country[1]. This strong growth potential represents a key opportunity for us to introduce the Crowne Plaza brand to Fiji.” “As the first resort in Fiji for the brand, Crowne Plaza Fiji Wailoaloa Beach complements IHG’s existing portfolio of brands in the South Pacific, allowing us to better meet the different needs of travellers visiting the Fiji. Guests can look forward to a truly immersive travel experience with the Crowne Plaza Fiji Wailoaloa Beach, with such vast, pristine natural beauty that Wailoaloa offers. With panoramic ocean views, we invite guests to take in the exquisite wonders of the island from the comfort of the resort, whether in their rooms or in and around the resort.”
This is the inaugural partnership between IHG and the developer Quantum Hi-Tech Group Limited. Wilson Wang, Chairman, Quantum Hi-Tech Group Limited, said: “We are thrilled to build the largest hotel in Fiji with IHG at such an exciting time for tourism in Fiji. The Crowne Plaza Fiji Wailoaloa Beach fills an existing gap in the local market by providing the best in-class resort facilities and amenities for leisure and corporate travellers, while its choice location allows travellers easy access to the exquisite wonders of Fiji. We’re confident that the Crowne Plaza Fiji Wailoaloa Beach will be well-received when it debuts in 2020.”
IHG is excited to build upon the success of its three properties and two IHG Brands already present in the South Pacific: the award-winning InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, Holiday Inn Suva Resort and Holiday Inn Vanuatu. The Crowne Plaza brand enjoys a strong presence the Asia, Middle East and Africa region with 76 hotels and resorts, with another 21 Crowne Plaza hotels and resorts expected to open across the region over the next three to five years. Read more at http://www.etbtravelnews.global
| An ETBTRavel release || December 12, 2017 |||
Dec 12, 2017 - : Steve Trickett has joined AVOCO’s senior management team to expand on market development in Asia and oversee grower communications at home. A familiar face to many avocado growers, Steve has joined the company as Marketing and Communications Manager and is responsible for market planning and performance with focus on new and developing markets where fruit carries the AVANZA brand. He will support the existing sales and marketing team, oversee contestable fund applications and develop AVOCO’s communications and profile among the grower community. Steve’s 35-year experience in the export sector includes stints at Fruitfed Export, NZ Kiwifruit Marketing Board (now Zespri), Chiquita Brands New Zealand Ltd, ENZA Fresh, Freshmax Ltd and Turners & Growers Exports.Until earlier this year, Steve worked for another Bay of Plenty avocado exporter. He says the move to AVOCO enables him to continue in an industry he’s passionate about. “I’ve worked with, known and respected the key people in AVOCO for well over 20 years and I’m a strong supporter of the AVANZA model used beyond Australia. So, I am excited by the fact that AVOCO management were keen for me to join them and further bolster what is a formidable marketing team,” says Steve. “I also welcome the opportunity to be part of a much larger business such as AVOCO that has compelling brand relevance via ‘AVANZA’, the Asian market brand, with recognised market leadership and the best pick of customers across the region.” Steve is a firm believer that New Zealand’s avocado industry has a bright future. Avocados tick all the right boxes from a consumer perspective and this has fuelled global demand. “Avocados are nutritious, versatile and tasty. Taste and texture is very important to the Asian consumer especially. They are very aware of the subtleties of every part of the fruit. “From a commercial perspective, avocados can be shipped by sea from New Zealand to avoid costly air freight. Overall, they’re a fabulous, healthy fruit that has won over consumers worldwide and that demand shows no signs of abating.” Outside of Australia, Asia is New Zealand’s next biggest market and it’s a region where relationship-building with key customers and distributors is paramount. Steve has worked in the region extensively and says the “New Zealand story” has real currency for export groups like AVOCO. “In Asia, our fruit is regarded as a great product, it’s come from a great origin and is mostly supplied at a time when competitor supply countries such as Mexico struggle with quality. People also have a favourable perception of our clean, green image. “Every time you go to a NZ trade office in Tokyo, Seoul or elsewhere in Asia, they say don’t stop promoting the ‘New Zealandness’ of your product. It’s very important and resonates well with consumers.” With the New Zealand avocado industry inching closer to market access to China, Steve is taking an active role in helping AVOCO lead the way by visiting China to learn more about sales and distribution systems. A small industry coordinated non-commercial trial shipment to China is scheduled for next month following completion of on-shore audits by the Chinese authorities. Full commercial shipments are unlikely until the new season starts in September 2018. While there are huge trade opportunities in China, Steve says it’s critical to first understand the market’s supply chain differences, and to then select which sales channels to pursue in the immediate to medium term.
| An AVOCO release || December 12, 2017 |||
Palace of the Alhambra, Spain
By: Charles Nathaniel Worsley (1862-1923)
From the collection of Sir Heaton Rhodes
Oil on canvas - 118cm x 162cm
Valued $12,000 - $18,000
Offers invited over $9,000
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242
Mount Egmont with Lake
By: John Philemon Backhouse (1845-1908)
Oil on Sea Shell - 13cm x 14cm
Valued $2,000-$3,000
Offers invited over $1,500
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242