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. I 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. If selected for the NGIA I believe I can bring experience, determination and clarity to the Board and subsequently all members.

Grant Hayman

Headford Propagators

I am honoured to be nominated for the NGIA Board. Along with my wife Robynne, we own and operate Headford Propagators, evolving over the last 15 years to what it is today. I have a Diploma in Horticulture, and have served on the IPPS executive for a number of years, holding position including President and International Director. I have organised field trips and a number of conferences. I have served on school Board of Trustees as Chairman and other community groups as well. Other interests include motor sport, yachting, rugby and my son and two daughters.

I have a real passion for the Nursery Industry and would like to see our industry develop a higher profile which would reward us all profitably and socially, bringing the joy that comes with working with plants. I would be honoured to represent you all.

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.

Malcolm Woolmore

Lyndale Nurseries Auckland – standing for re-election

I have served on the Board for 8 years and am a past international President of IPPS. I have represented NGIA in dealings with MAF and NPPA, and bring a wealth of plant knowledge and an in-depth understanding of the nursery industry to the Board

Peter Worsp

Terra Viva Home & Garden – standing for re-election

I have been in garden centre retailing for 21 years, first as a partner in Sunhill Pakuranga, and then as owner of Terra Viva Home & Garden, Christchurch, established in 1997. I have served on the Board of NGIA since 2006 and have been Chairman of the Retail Sector for the last two years. I am also a director of the Garden Independent Network group and am on the organising committee of the 2010 Christchurch NGIA Conference.

The current Board is:

• Peter Fraser – President, becomes Past President
• Rachel Vogan - Vice President, becomes President
• Malcolm Woolmore – standing for re-election
• Peter Worsp – standing for re-election
• Kate Hillier – completes two year term in 2011
• Kerry Sixtus – resigning this year
• Vince Wylaars– completes two year term in 2011

If there are more nominations than positions then the appropriate postal ballot papers will be circulated to all members in early February.