Policies and reports

The KVH Annual Update provides an overview of KVH activities and progress for the previous 12 months. It is produced each year in time for the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

  • 2022/23 update: adapting to a changing climate; impacts of weather on biosecurity risk and vine health; ensuring response capability.
  • 2021/22 update: ensuring biosecurity resilience with the new Pathway Management Plan; partnerships; science and innovation.
  • 2020/21 update: New Zealand's triple layered biosecurity system and how KVH works in each of these three integrated layers.
  • 2019/20 update: a new way of managing biosecurity risk; planning for the unexpected; the unwanted spotted lanternfly.
  • 2018/19 update: joining forces to fight our biggest threats; building better traceability; keeping track across the world.
  • 2017/18 update: how we stop the stink bug; helping communities build biosecurity defence.

Review of the National Psa-V Pest Management Plan

In 2023, KVH commissioned an independent review of the Psa-V National Pest Management Plan (NPMP) 2013.

The review was undertaken to determine the value and achievements of the NPMP for the kiwifruit industry, and identify insights that can be used to enhance implementation of the Pathway Management Plan and similar biosecurity initiatives.


Psa - the New Zealand Story
In April 2021 KVH bought together and released a series of reflections from the kiwifruit industry's biggest biosecurity response and recovery. We are extremely grateful for the generous sponsorship and support from the many organisations that contributed to the production of the booklet, and those who were willing to share their stories.


Avoiding complacency
Kiwifruit growers are aware that a future biosecurity incursion is a significant risk, if not the greatest risk, to their investment in kiwifruit. Yet on most orchards, biosecurity practices have slipped from where they were several years ago. What are the reasons behind this? Are growers becoming complacent, or have we just settled on a new norm that is appropriate for the current level of risk?

As part of the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, Matt Dyck, KVH Biosecurity Manager, completed a project to determine if on-orchard biosecurity practices are slipping, the barriers that might be causing this, and the opportunities to overcome these barriers so that the kiwifruit industry is prepared for a future biosecurity incursion.


Lessons learned from the Psa response
In November 2014 KVH released an independent review by the Sapere Research Group on how the industry responded to the 2010 arrival of Psa-V into New Zealand.

The aim of the review was to identify lessons learned from the response to the Psa-V incursion that could be used to support future responses to new pest and disease arrivals that could impact the New Zealand kiwifruit industry.


Impacts of Psa and better coordinating research efforts (Chile)
In January 2014, KVH Chief Executive Barry O’Neil and Zespri Innovation Leader David Tanner visited Chile to meet with industry leaders, government officials and university experts to assess progress towards overcoming the impacts of Psa-V, and to strengthen research efforts between the two countries.


Investigation of orchards affected by Ceratocystis fimbriata (Brazil)
KVH Chief Executive Barry O’Neil and Zespri Innovation Leader David Tanner visited the region of Farroupilha in January 2014 to investigate the situation of kiwifruit vines dying from the fungal pathogen Ceratocystis fimbriata.


Costs of Psa to the industry and the wider community
KVH released a report on the impact of the vine-killing disease Psa, which confirmed the significant setback the disease dealt to the kiwifruit industry and wider communities. The report is by Lincoln University’s Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit.