Bay of Plenty Business News October/November 2017

Green kiwifruit faces challenge
from climate change
From page 1
Tait said there was a good
case for industry bodies to take
the lead with planting location,
varieties and management
techniques to help counter the
creep of climate change.
“As an individual grower
you are heavily invested and it
is difficult to change your crop
or your region. But as an industry
such signals are important to
lead those changes.”
Dr Tait said he took heart
from how the industry had
responded to the 2010 Psa
outbreak crisis, which had
resulted in a complete change
in plant variety from the vulnerable
Hort16a hybrid to
SunGold, within two years.
Carol Ward, Zespri general
manager for innovation,
said the study highlighted how
important it was for Zespri
and the New Zealand kiwifruit
industry to think longer term
on the potential impact of climate
change.
“We are a resilient industry,
thanks to several factors. One
is diversity – many orchardists
grow more than one variety of
kiwifruit. Another factor is that
we are continuously working
to develop and evaluate new
cultivars of kiwifruit through
the world’s largest kiwifruit
breeding programme with
Plant and Food Research.”
She said this gave the sector
the potential to develop
new cultivars with different
attributes, including resilience
to environmental risks and
productivity under different
growing conditions.
“It is a very long-term programme
and one that is vital
for being prepared for future
change.” She said the industry
was also innovating through
different growing systems and
solutions, including growing
under shelter netting to protect
against different climate risks
in terms of short term seasonal
factors, and longer term trends.
New Zealand Kiwifruit
Growers Incorporated vice
chairman Mark Mayston said
the organisation would continue
to advocate for growers
through its ongoing work with
industry stakeholders, including
Zespri and Plant and Food
Research.
BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS October/November 2017 3
BayActive at Bay Venues
Sports leagues are a great
way to burn off work
stress, socialise with
colleagues to foster team spirit,
and network with others.
They are also an excellent
way to keep active in
a fun environment - in Bay
of Plenty, there are plenty of
sporting choices.
BayActive is well aware
of the many advantages and
the fun to be had. It’s been
offering the services to the
community for years, with
year-round sports leagues to
select from.
Bay Venues programmes
manager Simon Leach says
that while some of the spring
leagues have already kicked
off, it’s not necessarily too
late to join in.
Or, if more planning
time is required, the summer
league will start after
Christmas.
“We cater for all. You
don’t have to have a full
team. You can come as an
individual and be slotted into
a team. The same applies for
small businesses – you can
be amalgamated with others.”
The leagues are played
from 5.45pm at three different
venues – Tauranga’s
QEYC, the ASB Arena, and
ASB Indoor Sports Pavilion
at Baypark. On offer for
spring are: netball, football,
ultimate frisbee, fastnet and
volleyball.
• Netball is held at ASB
Arena on Tuesdays and
Thursdays, at the Indoor
Pavilion on Mondays and
Wednesdays and at the QEYC
on Wednesdays. Fastnet is
held at QEYC on Mondays.
• Football is played at
ASB Arena on Wednesdays,
at the Indoor Pavilion on
Tuesdays and at QEYC on
Thursdays.
• Ultimate Frisbee action
can be found at ASB Arena
on Mondays, and volleyball
at QEYC on Wednesdays.
Simon emphasises there’s
no need to be a pro at a game
to join up to play.
“It’s seriously social. It
may be that you want to pick
up a sport you played years
ago, or try out a new sport.
Either way, this is the way
to go.”
All teams have a mix of
female and male players and
referees and player bibs are
supplied.
Each league varies
between 8 – 12 weeks
depending on the time of
year, culminating in finals for
all teams, and a prize giving.
The cost to register
depends on the length of time
the league runs.
BayActive sports leagues
are constantly evolving.
For example, ultimate frisbee
(played indoors) is the
new kid on the block, and is
being offered in conjunction
with Mount Ultimate Frisbee
Club.
“We are open to ideas
and keen to receive suggestions
from the public, so do
let us know of other sports
we could add to our exciting
league offerings,” says
Simon.
Suggestions can be
emailed through to bayactive@bayvenues.co.nz
Visit www.baysportsleagues.co.nz
for further
information about the individual
leagues, or to register.
Alternatively, call in at
QEYC or ASB Arena reception
for more details, or to
enter.
Just a thought: If you
don’t make joining a league
happen this year, it could be a
perfect New Year’s resolution
for your business. Get the
year underway in a social and
healthy way.