Dutch flower authority to talk in New Zealand

Press, 14 February 1986, Page 13

Dutch flower authority to talk in New Zealand

The president of the Flower Council of the Netherlands, Dr Jan van Doesburg, will be speaking on the world flower trade and New Zealand’s part and potential during a seminar organised by the New Zealand Flower

Council at Lincoln College next Friday, February 21. He is the most important person in the industry of the biggest flower producing and exporting nation, the Netherlands. Mr Van Doesburg was formerly managing director of the Aalsmeer Research Station and as well as being chairman of the Flower Council he is the head of the Dutch Flower Auctions. He will speak three times during the seminar day, which is to be repeated at Massey University on February 25 and Auckland on February 28. Other speakers include Mr Keith Funnell, of Massey, on post harvest research and Mr Alistair Jamieson, of the M.A.F., on the industry’s need to unify. The chairman of the N.Z. council, Mr Robin Gormack, said in Christchurch this week that Mr Van Doesburg’s visit was a great thing for the New Zealand industry. Discussions would be held with him on many issues of mutual interest, including the possible coordination of marketing approach to third countries.

“Because we are in opposite hemispheres, we do not really compete against each other and we have the opportunity to complement each other’s seasons,” said Mr Gormack. “In countries such as Hong Kong and Japan, we can help each other develop the market for flowers.

“Mr Van Doesburg can give the New Zealand industry the benefit of his extremely wide experience in research, growing techniques, marketing problems here and overseas, future developments and directions.”

The Flower Council will be using these

seminars as a first step in a series of meetings over the next four months to involve all growers in developing an industry strategy. A seminar will also be held at the Nurserymen’s Association Conference in Walrakei in March at which the role of growers, wholesalers, exporters, retailers and other people involved in the industry will be discussed. “Then, after a series of regional meetings we will be formulating our strategies at our midyear conference in June,” said Mr Gormack. Registration costs $25 for Nurserymen’s Association members and $35 for non-members and covers morning and afternoon teas and lunch. For pre-seminar registration contact the association through P. O. Box 3443, Wellington or on 725-119.