NZEE Board

Mike Chapman – Chair

As well as serving as Chair of New Zealand Ethical Employers Incorporated, Mike is Chair of the Food & Fibre Capability Leadership Group and Forum.  He is a Board Member of and volunteer for the New Zealand National Fieldays Society.  Mike assists other organisations with employment and labour issues, strategy, organisational structure, government relations and grower payments.  Mike is a partner in an Hawkes Bay apple orchard, partner in Wairua Hop Garden Limited Partnership and a Board Member of Wairua Hop Garden GP Limited.  Mike also publishes a monthly blog on topical and sector issues.  Previously Mike was Chief Executive of Horticulture New Zealand, of NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated, of Kiwifruit New Zealand and was an inaugural Director of Kiwifruit Vine Health Incorporated.

Deane Caughey– Deputy Chair

Deane is the GM of Thornhill and has been involved in the wine industry since 1999 through vineyard ownership and for 17 years with Indevin Group. Based in Marlborough since 1999 he has spent his time in fishing, meat and most recently in the wine industry with the Indevin Group which included a board role for Seasonal Solutions and large-scale management of RSE teams.

Craig Erasmus – Board Director

Craig is the CEO and a director of Seasonal Solutions. He has over 20 years leadership experience in the Marlborough and Central Otago wine industries, whilst also having held governance roles in the seafood and tourism. He is a Qualified Chartered Accountant with a Post Graduate Diploma in Viticulture and Oenology and a charter member of New Zealand Institute of Directors.

Lynda Ashby– Board Director

Jason Thompson – Board Director

Jason has been involved with the central Otago wine industry for the last 22 years. Currently the owner operator of Viticultura Contracting Ltd and responsible for consulting , vineyard management through to wine making for a large range of client’s. Jason also owns and manages his own and lease vineyards. Jason is very passionate about the Central Otago region and the people working in it.

Andrew Wood - Board Director

Andrew has worked within the horticultural industry for over 40 years. He is currently General Manager (Orchards) of Ngai Tukairangi Trust based in Mount Maunganui with orchards also in Heretaunga, Gisborne, and Kerikeri. He is involved in multiple sectors of the horticultural industry including kiwifruit, apples, persimmons and citrus. Andrew’s career has been diverse, and he has held roles in the contracting sector, post-harvest management, organic production, client relationships, and various governance roles. Andrew sees skilled labour availability as a critical component of the horticulture sector and is a strong supporter of NZ Ethical Employers and the values it promotes.