Governance

Andrew Harrison (Chair)

Andrew is Biosecurity Manager for Kiwifruit Vine Health.  Andrew has also spent time with MAF, DOC and with his own landscaping company.  While with MAF he worked with NGINZ (then NGIA) in many areas and proved to be a strong advocate for policy that worked, and worked simply.  He has a wide range of experience leading development of strategy, leading law reform, developing strategic and operational policy, managing operations, and serving as a national regulator; he’s well equipped to lead the Board as its independent Chair, and help us shape NGINZ in the future.

Vince Wylaars

Zealandia Horticulture
Vince has been involved in horticulture for 19 years with the purchase of Jornas Nurseries in 1990, with his brother Pedro.

Over the last few years with the merger and acquisition of several businesses, he is now one of four directors that own Zealandia Horticulture which has five production units spread through New Zealand. Zealandia produces house plants, bedding plants, herbs and shrubs, it also produces young plants for the commercial vegetable growers.

Malcolm Woolmore

Lyndale Nurseries Auckland Ltd
Malcolm is Managing Director and owner of Lyndale Nurseries Auckland Ltd, New Zealand's leading propagation nursery.

Graduating from Canterbury University in 1977, Malcolm became involved in the ornamental plant industry. As well as being an NGIA member, Malcolm has been a long term member of the International Plant Propagators Society (IPPS), serving as the society's International President.

Peter Worsp

Terra Viva
Peter has had 16 years in the retail sector of the horticulture industry. Origianlly from a farming background he moved to Auckland in 1984 was one of the two partners that established Sunhill Garden Centre in Pakuranga, which was then sold to Palmers 6 years later.

After a move to Christchurch and a short stint in the food manufacturing industry, Peter and his wife established Terra Viva Home and Garden Centre in 1997. Terra Viva won the South Island Garden Centre of the Year in 2002 and gained 2nd place in the national competition. Peter is also currently a member of the Retail Sector.

Kate Hillier (Vice-Chair)

Ellerslie International Flower Show
Kate has over 20 years experience in the horticultural industries both in England and New Zealand. Over the years she has enjoyed a variety of roles having worked in many different areas of the industry - including nursery, wholesale and retail sales. Key roles included Garden Centre Manager for Hillier and Palmers Gardenworld and Promotions Manager for Palmers Gardenworld.

Kate launched her own business, The Hillier Consultancy, in 2002 which specialized in the marketing and promotion of a number of horticultural companies including Blooms of Bressingham and Living Earth; she also wrote for Lets Go Gardening. Last year Kate took on the role of Exhibition Manager for the Ellerslie International Flower Show (EIFS) and she is keen to strengthen the relationship with and communication between the NGIA and EIFS. It is her strengths in marketing, strategic planning and event management that she offers to the board.

Don Forgie

Tui Products
I am Managing Director and a shareholder in Tui Products Ltd, a dry goods supplier to the consumer market. I have been involved with the industry since 1978 when the original Tui brand was a subsidiary of Hodder & Tolley Ltd. I was an owner of Hodder & Tolley Ltd, a national agricultural company dealing in grain, seed and produce.

Don had seven years experience on the national body for that industry, being President for four of those. This involved dealing with all members, Government departments and overseas connections. Since purchasing the Tui brand in 1999 the shareholders have developed Tui Products Ltd into one of the major suppliers to the consumer market.

Graeme Ross

Mitre 10 NZ
I have been involved in horticulture all my working life completing a Dip Hort in 1972. For seven years in the early eighties I owned and operated Redwood Garden Centre in Rotorua.

I moved to Auckland to join Palmers Gardenworld as a store manager and finally Regional Operations Manager. In 1996 I was appointed NZ Group Manager - Gardening for Mitre 10 NZ but after only six months the Palmers business was purchased by Mitre 10 and I became Group Franchise Manager - Palmers Gardenworld. I held this position for seven years until the sale of Palmers in 2006, choosing to remain with Mitre 10 as Group Operations Manager - Gardening, the position I hold today.

I have been involved with many aspects of horticulture including successfully exhibiting at the Ellerslie Flower Show and I am a very passionate sub tropical gardener on the North Shore.