Horticulture New Zealand announced a new chief executive on Tuesday, with Nadine Tunley stepping into the position.
Tunley will take up the job on June 14 and replace current chief executive Mike Chapman.
Horticulture New Zealand's president Barry O'Neil said Tunley was appointed after an "extensive recruitment process" and it was hoped she would lead the organisation into new territory.
"Over the next decade, climate adaption, freshwater quality improvements, and increased use of technology and automation will result in significant change to the way fruit and vegetables are grown in New Zealand," O'Neil said.
"HortNZ's role will be to help steer the industry through this change, advocating for growers to be given the time and support to adapt. This is so our growers can remain viable during the transition, and do what they do best: feed New Zealand and the world healthy, good tasting and safe food."
O'Neil said Chapman would stay on until June 25 to assist in the handover of the role.
"Mike has led HortNZ and the horticulture industry through some very challenging times," O'Neil said.
"Over the past five years, Mike has led the advocacy that has enabled tremendous growth in the industry, at the same time as it has started to change in response to new environmental and customer requirements.
"Mike's leadership of the horticulture industry through COVID was outstanding. He brought the industry and Government together to immediately find practical solutions to the challenges that COVID posed. This ensured that growers, packhouses and the rest of the industry could continue to operate and get food on New Zealanders' tables, as well as to export."
Tunley said she was looking forward to the challenge of the position.
"I am really delighted to be able to assist New Zealand's strong and vibrant horticultural sector to forge through this next period of change. My role will be to facilitate and advocate on growers' behalf for policies and regulatory frameworks that will not only enable better outcomes but in doing so, keep all the horticulture industry at the forefront of continued success."
