People, diversity and the opportunity to help those in the industry are among the aspects of their work that Kate Hellstrom, Andrea Crawford and Tracey Mansfield of Summerfruit NZ most enjoy.
The trio, all members of Women in Horticulture, acknowledge the past two years have been particularly hard for growers, but that has fuelled their passion to do all they can to assist growers to get through.
Kate is chief executive of Summerfruit NZ, Andrea is business manager and Tracey, labour co-ordinator. Together, with technical advisor Richard Mills, they make up Summerfruit NZ’s management team.
“The horticulture industry has remained in a constant state of flux due to ongoing and complex challenges,” she says. “The global pandemic, we are experiencing a severe labour crisis and very high turnover rates. Global supply chains remain heavily disrupted and weather events have continued to impact on all our growing regions.”
Kate says leading Summerfruit NZ through its own down sizing changes and during uncertain times has been a positive personal challenge.
“Our board members are very supportive and generous in sharing of their knowledge of the industry and the unique skills and experience they each bring to their role. A big thanks to the team and the board for their invaluable contribution to our sector.”
Summerfruit NZ’s business manager, Andrea, also grew up in Wellington and has a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration and a major in Marketing and Management from Victoria University.
Andrea joined Summerfruit NZ on contract in 2018 and became a permanent employee in 2019.
Andrea got into the horticulture sector in 2009 by accident when she became a part-time database administrator for HortNZ.
“I was looking for a complete change and soon got hooked,” she says. “I then moved into roles in HortNZ and vegetable product groups along with [a role] at the Primary ITO before moving to Summerfruit NZ.”
“I provide support to the chief executive and the rest of the team in governance, back-office management, IT support and tend to be involved in engagement with a variety of stakeholders. My role is facilitating support for the other team members and their respective portfolios.”
And it’s a role she loves. However, it’s not always easy.
“The business environment is changing so fast these days,” Andrea says.
We have to adapt our business models and develop new ways to meet these challenges, or we simply won’t survive."
Summerfruit’s labour co-ordinator Tracey, who now lives in Arrowtown, grew up in rural Southland, Otautau. She has a Bachelor of Physical Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography, with a Post Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education from Otago University.
Tracey’s role at Summerfruit NZ, which also includes some communication work and events co-ordination, was created in November 2020 in response to the labour crisis caused by the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Raising the profile of seasonal work to students, backpackers, grey nomads, or anyone of working age, is what I do,” she says. “The role also includes keeping up to date with changing immigration rules and Covid-19 protocols and building relationships with growers and a large number of stakeholders.”
Tracey says the sector is not without its challenges though.
“It is also not nice hearing from growers who are doing it tough, season after season.
Despite the tough times the past few years, Kate, Andrea and Tracey strongly recommend horticulture as a career for women to pursue.
“It’s a great industry with a lot of variety,” Tracey says. “There are amazing opportunities for women, on orchard or within the wider industry. It’s fun, challenging, and always changing which makes it interesting.”
To keep up-to-date with Women in Horticulture, its news and activities and to join the membership database, email:info@women-in-hort.nz. All are welcome.
