Industry governance

(1) The functions of DINZ are:

   a) to promote and assist the development of the deer industry in New Zealand.

   b) to assist in the organisation and development of the marketing of products derived from deer.

   c) to assist in the development of existing and new markets for products derived from deer.

   d) to maintain statistics and disseminate relevant information to members of the deer industry.

   e) to undertake, and arrange to be undertaken, research into deer and into processing methods for slaughtered deer.

   f) to monitor, and from time to time report on, the economics and efficiency of all components of the deer industry.

   g) to act in combination or association with any person or body of persons whether in New Zealand or elsewhere (whether by acquiring shares or other interests in a company or otherwise) engaged, concerned, or interested in the processing, marketing, or distribution of deer or products derived from deer.

   h) to report from time to time to the Minister for Primary Industries and to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade—

1. on trends and prospects in overseas markets in respect of products derived from deer; and
2. on movements of costs and prices or other factors likely to affect the economic stability of the deer industry; and
3. on any other matters that DINZ considers appropriate, or that the Minister or the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade may request:

   i) to account to levy payers on DINZ's activities and its use of levy money and other resources:

   j) to perform any other functions that may be conferred on it by or under these regulations or any other enactment.

(2) DINZ must—

   a) apply levies paid to it under these regulations in performing its functions; and

   b) pending expenditure under paragraph (a), invest the levies.

(3) However, levies received under regulation 24(a)(i) must be applied to the control and eradication of bovine tuberculosis or for other animal health purposes.

Acquisition of deer: DINZ must not acquire deer or products derived from deer except for promotional, experimental, or developmental purposes.

(1) DINZ comprises 8 directors elected or appointed as follows:

   a) 4 directors are to be appointed by the New Zealand Deer Farmers’ Association Incorporated in accordance with its rules. (At present the Formal Electoral College interview and selection process via the NZDFA’s Selection and Appointments Panel)

   b) 3 directors are to be elected by venison marketers and venison processors in accordance with Schedule 1:

   c) 1 director is to be elected by deer products marketers, deer products processors, velvet marketers, velvet pool operators, and velvet processors in accordance with Schedule 1.

(2) A director holds office for a term expiring at the close of 30 June in the third year after the year in which the director was elected or appointed.

(3) However, a director may continue in office after the expiry specified in sub-clause (2) or under this sub-clause if, before the expiry, the Minister—

   a) authorises the director to continue in office; and

   b) specifies the length of the director's extended term.

(4) If a director continues in office under sub-clause (3), the term of office of the person elected or appointed to replace the director is reduced by a period equivalent to the director's extended term.

(5) Sub-clauses (2) to (4) apply subject to the director sooner dying, resigning, or being removed from office.

(6) A director whose term of office has expired may be reappointed or re-elected.

(7) The powers of DINZ are not affected by a vacancy in its membership.

Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson

(1) In each calendar year, DINZ elects from its directors a Chairperson and a Deputy Chairperson for the ensuing 12 months.

(2) A person elected as Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson holds office until a successor comes into office, and is eligible for re-election.

(3) The Chairperson must preside at all meetings of DINZ at which he or she is present. In the absence of the Chairperson from a meeting, the Deputy Chairperson must preside, and if both are absent one of the directors present must be appointed by the directors attending to preside at the meeting. At a meeting of DINZ, the Chairperson or any other person presiding has a deliberative vote, but is not entitled to a casting vote.

General: To see Annual Reports, click here >>

To see current DINZ Board members, click here >>

Mission: To promote and assist the development of the New Zealand Deer Industry as a strong, stable, profitable industry for all participants.

Vision for Venison: Inspire the New Zealand Deer Industry to profitably grow and market the world’s best red meat.

Vision for Velvet: New Zealand deer velvet is recognised, valued and sold as the best in its class in Asian markets.

The DINZ Board is a Consensus Board and operates according to its regulations, non-sectorial in nature and in accordance with the Deer Industry strategic intents related to venison, velvet, and industry direction.

A separate 5 yearly strategic intent for venison and velvet was established for the 5 years 2009-2014 have recently been reviewed and has been combined into a single strategic intent

This incorporates the extension of the earlier strategy documents: Venison Industry Strategic Intent 2009–2014 which had:

Strategic direction for venison positioning defined as:

• Achieve demand-led premium positioning of New Zealand venison underpinned by a differentiation strategy.
• Fully support long-term commitment to product and market development.
• Encourage farmers, processors and customers towards long-term supply commitments.
• Improve on-farm productivity.
• Ensure the industry has freedom to operate.

And velvet antler as:

Velvet Industry Strategic Intent – 2009 – 2014

• Freedom to Operate
• Improve Market Access
• Protect and Grow Core Markets
• Provide Efficacy Based Research
• Strengthen the NZ Velvet Brand

DINZ 2019-2025 strategy:

• Premium positioning of NZ deer products
• Market development and diversification
• Sustainable on-farm value creation
• Cohesive and respected industry

Priorities:

• Building buyer preference for our products in traditional markets, at the same time as we develop new markets that want year-round supply and pay premium prices.
• Increasing deer farming productivity to match increases in other livestock industries. Providing deer farmers and their staff with the knowledge, confidence and motivation to do this.
• Catering for the deer difference in animal health and welfare, research and genetics, environmental standards, training and much else.
• Enabling better environmental stewardship.
• Optimising resource use and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from commercial activity.
• To see more, click here >>

Funding:

DINZ is funded by a compulsory levy on venison per kg, collected at the point of slaughter and processing (Currently $0.18/kg).

• Since 2004 the levy has been split as a 50:50 levy. Currently it sits at 9.0 cents a kg each paid by the producer and the processing company.
• For qualifying velvet antler the current levy of $3.20/ kg is deducted from the producer velvet returns at the first point of sale.

Further Key Regulations: Committees and delegations

(1) DINZ may:

   a) appoint advisory or technical committees of 1 or more persons as it thinks fit to advise DINZ on any matters relating to its functions and powers that are referred to them by DINZ; and

   b) delegate to an advisory or technical committee any of its functions and powers except:

      (i) those relating to the fixing of levies; and

      (ii) the power to delegate under this regulation.

(2) An advisory or technical committee may, in addition, furnish to DINZ reports on any matter concerning the deer industry in respect of which the committee, or a member or members of it, may have special knowledge or experience.

(3) A person may be appointed to be a member of a committee appointed under this regulation whether or not he or she is a director of DINZ, but if he or she is not a director and is appointed chairperson of the committee, DINZ must either confirm or reject that appointment Acquisition of deer. DINZ must not acquire deer or products derived from deer except for promotional, experimental, or developmental purposes.

Financial year

For the purposes of section 11(2) of the Act, the financial year of DINZ ends with 30 September in each year.

Deer industry levy

A levy is imposed on—

(a) venison derived from deer that are slaughtered at a deer slaughterhouse

(b) velvet derived from deer that is:

1. sold by an operator of a velvet pool on behalf of a deer farmer; or
2. purchased by a person acting for an operator of a velvet packing house; or
3. received at a velvet packing house; or
4. if subparagraphs (1) to (3) do not apply, sold for export or for processing or consumption in New Zealand.

Before 1 October in any year DINZ may fix, by notice in the Gazette, the rates of levy (including the basis of their calculation) that are to be paid in the next succeeding financial year.

However, except with the written consent of the Minister, DINZ must not increase the rate of levy by more than 20% of the rate last fixed.

Deer Industry New Zealand undertakes a range of programmes on behalf of all industry stakeholders (not any one sector) and is accountable to the entire industry. It does not buy or sell any deer products, but works closely with those that do. Any trade enquiries are provided directly to relevant processors or exporters.

To find out more, click here >>

Typically the DINZ board meets formally 6 times per year at roughly 2 monthly intervals.

Generally this is in Wellington at the Deer Industry New Zealand offices, but in recent times a concerted effort has been made to hold Board meetings in the key regions (by farmer number) and on the evening before meet and hold discussions with levy payers and the branch chairs and NZDFA executive committee.

DINZ Board Meetings are usually but not restricted to:

• Early July (first meeting of the year, includes election of DINZ chair and appointment of audit and risk committee (Wellington)
• September (Wellington or regional)
• Later November (potentially regional)
• February (Wellington)
• Early April ( regional)
• May in association the with the annual deer industry conference
• In addition the Board is invited to join the NZDFA’s annual branch chairs’ conference (mid October) which also includes representatives of the Next Generation programme and the New Faces Leadership development initiative.
• For the 4 Producer appointed members, 2 meetings per year within the NZDFA constitution are scheduled, up to half a day typically held in association with conference and the October branch chairs meeting.
• Invitations to join teleconference with the branch chairs, Executive Committee or SAP are often issued but are discretionary for Board members.

General

Directors are expected to have some rural industry empathy, and to some extent have or research a working knowledge of the deer industry and its strategic intent.

Governance experience and good communication skills are advantageous. The ability to work together within the unique mix of producer and processor exporter representatives is also important.

While it is not mandated, the DINZ chair has traditionally been elected from among the 4 producer-appointed Board representatives, so potential chair and leadership skills are an asset.

The SAP is an 8 person elected body. Four are the current NZDFA Executive Committee and the other four are elected directly by DFA members. Members have a two-year term.

All deer farmers, including DFA full members and DINZ farmer levy payers (who are not voluntary members of the NZDFA) are eligible to vote for both the Executive Committee and SAP.

Within each group of four (Executive Committee and directly elected SAP members) there are two Members at Large and one representative each for the North and South Islands.

Retirement is by rotation and retiring members may seek re-election.

The SAP has two primary roles:

1. To interview, select and appoint the 4 producer-appointed representatives to the DINZ Board*

* Producer-appointed DINZ Board members are appointed for a three year renewable term, and the positions retire by rotation. Every third year, 2 members retire by rotation All are eligible for re-nomination and there is no maximum term defined.

2. To meet with the producer-appointed DINZ Board members at least once a year outside the selection process to discuss emerging industry issues, and to talk about Board expectations, performance, succession etc.

• This meeting generally coincides with the annual branch chairs’ meeting with the DINZ Executive and Board in October.
• Should industry issues continue to concern DFA and its members, or major events arise that affect producers, the constitution allows for the SAP to request further meetings with the producer-appointed Board members.

The terms of reference and selection process are set out in an annually reviewable operating code of practice. Much of this relates to relationships and areas potentially deemed conflict of interest.

• It is an accepted custom that that the SAP chair is chosen from among the four directly elected members and not the NZDFA Executive Committee.
• The non-Executive Committee SAP members are not remunerated for time, but all associated expenses are covered within the NZDFA annual budget.
• The non-Executive Committee SAP members are expected to attend the AGM and conference. The NZDFA pays for registration and other expenses to attend. They are there to support the Board candidates who formally address the AGM, and to receive deer farmer views on industry issues, potential candidates and operations and functions of the NZDFA.

SAP member commitments

1. June meeting, 2 days, Wellington. Includes pre-interview deliberations, upskilling opportunities and discussion on industry issues post conference, interviews and appointment of 1 (or 2) of 4 producer-appointed DINZ Board members. Process prescribed in a SAP Operating Code of Practice, a public document.
2. Understanding roles of the DINZ Board, governance and interview process, and personal development. Wellington Division of the Institute of Directors helps the SAP to maximise its skills. This training may require members to attend an additional day. Funding is made through the DINZ producer management budget (leadership development) and the NZDFA.

To request a copy of the SAP Operating Code of Practice or the NZDFA Constitution including references to the Selection and Appointments Panel, click here >>