Contents:
- The Association's Beginning
- Branch-structured Association
- 'Action' and 'Interest' Groups
- Patrons of the Tree Crops Association
- Dr Don McKenzie Award
- Honorary Life Members
The Association's Beginning
The New Zealand Tree Crops Association grew out of a philosophy of seeking and sharing information about the many and varied types of trees we might grow in New Zealand to produce a useful crop, be it for humankind or animals.
The Association had its beginnings in 1974 when a group of far-sighted enthusiasts in Canterbury were so convinced of the vast, untapped potential for growing useful trees in New Zealand, that they formed themselves into a small association. Later the same year, they and others of like mind met in Nelson and formally established the New Zealand Tree Crops Association Inc.
The initial idea of these visionary farmers, scientists and gardeners was simple: farmers should plant more trees in their paddocks. Not just for aesthetic reasons or to supplement their income, but to develop a more stable environment.
If farmers could be persuaded to establish a gentle landscape of shelter and windbreaks, woodlots, orchards, fodder crops and mixed associations of all kinds of trees and useful plants, then those farmers would benefit from enhanced pasture production through the combined effect of leaf litter, shelter and nitrogen provided by the judicious use of nitrogen-fixing tree species.
As well, the combined effects of soil and water conservation, increased bird and bee population, and the revitalizing of our much-polluted atmosphere would vitally enrich the land. Other benefits would be an increase in the quality and diversity of fruits, nuts and timbers and their many useful by-products. In sum, an enrichment of all our lives.
Those original idealists were much ahead of their time. NZTCA members have quietly been at the forefront of research and innovation in developing new forms of productive land use. Membership has spread throughout New Zealand, and we have become an Association of gardeners, householders, orchardists, farmers, smallholders, scientists and researchers.
Branch-structured Association
To make it more convenient to arrange local
activities the Association is divided into local
Branches, each of which enjoys a high degree of
autonomy and independence.
Where Branches are
not currently active, we attempt to service those
areas from neighbouring Branches, but would
welcome the establishment of Branch Committees. If
you happen to be in one of these areas, and are
prepared to assist in the formation of a Branch
Committee, please contact the National Secretary
(Management Contacts) without delay.
'Action' and 'Interest' Groups
Within the Association other groupings have been established where a crop is new to New Zealand experience, and a sharing of resources is needed to research and trial a crop under New Zealand conditions.
Some groups charge their members a small fee to administer the group and to send newsletters.
Those members who share a particular crop, irrespective of which Branch they belong to, may join an Interest Group or Action Group. If you are particularly interested in a crop not listed, check with our Research team (Key Contacts) - there may be other growers, but not an active group. Action Groups are Interest Groups currently undertaking trials with enough impetus to require regular communication with their members.
If you are interested in becoming a member or a trialist, contact our Research team (Key Contacts). You will need to know your average rainfall, frost readings, summer temperatures, prevailing wind and soil type. There is usually an additional annual subscription to join an Action Group.
Patrons
1980 - 1996: Roland Clark
Our first Patron was Roland Clark OBE. It was on his Canterbury farm that the first group of Tree Croppers came together, a historic meeting which resulted in the formation of the Association. For six years he was Association President and took part in many of the committees. He inspired everyone with his unique talent for making us think. He led by example, his own farm becoming a mecca for Tree Croppers. A stimulating writer, many will know him better by his nom-de-plume "Nor-wester". Nor retired from active farming, he and his wife Betty have a hectare or so of land on Banks Peninsula. Both retain an active interest in growing things.
1996 - 2000: Owen Long
Owen Long has been a member and office holder in the Auckland Branch for many years. He has maintained a strong interest in growing pecans, and in 1990 was awarded the Dr Don McKenzie Award for his services to pecan research and his long-time endeavours to establish them in New Zealand. He served as a member of the Association Management Committee and from 1986 to 1988 served as President. He has throughout his membership exhibited a keen interest in all Association activities and in 1996 was elected as Patron.
2000 - present: Hazel Nicholls
Dr Don McKenzie Award
This award is named in honour of the late Dr Don
McKenzie, who died tragically in a motor car
accident in 1988. Dr Don as he was known to many,
was one of the founding members of the Association
and worked for the Department of Scientific and
Industrial Research. His interests ranged over a
great number of different crops, but his special
interest was apples, and his contribution to that
industry was considerable. The 'connoisseur' apples
that are now grown by apple lovers throughout New
Zealand area a collection of Dr Don's old-time
favourites.
The trophy is a walnut dug from a 'brown' coalfield in what was formerly West Germany. It is thought to be between 8 and 9 million years old and was presented to Dr Don in 1983 when he attended a World Seminar in Germany. He in turn donated it to the Association. Now mounted in an epoxy block, this handsome trophy is awarded annually to a member who has made a 'significant contribution to Tree Crops.'
Recipients of the Dr. Don McKenzie Award to date have been:
- 1985 Bernard Vavasour, for research and development of walnuts.
- 1986 Tom Dinning, for his interest in hazels and services as National Secretary.
- 1987 Rex Baker, for his unceasing efforts in establishing a fledgling walnut industry.
- 1988 Hamish Deans, for his outstanding work in the development of hazelnuts as a commercial industry.
- 1989 Guy Goldsbrough, for his promotion of hazelnuts, chestnuts and walnuts as viable crops.
- 1990 Owen Long, for services to pecan research.
- 1991 Vernon Harrison, for services to walnut research.
- 1992 Phil Gardner, for his contribution to Tree Cropping and bananas.
- 1993 Dick Roberts, horticultural photographer.
- 1994 Jim Peele, for his contribution to the Association's Great Fruit and Nut Tree Search Project.
- 1995 Gordon Atkinson, for his work promoting mixed woodlots and alternative timber species.
- 1996 Louis Trap, for his research in sub-tropical species and pine nuts.
- 1997 Maurice Denton, for his work as President of the Association and editor of The Tree Cropper.
- 1998 Ian Gordon, for development of new macadamia cultivars, and work with Maori land owners.
- 1999 Mike Smith, for his work promoting the benefits of tree cropping to the environment.
- 2000 Eric Cairns for his work as President of the Association, contribution to fig research and articles promoting tree cropping in 'The Straight Furrow'.
- 2001 Roy Hart, for his excellent work in research and development of various Tree Crops.
- 2002 Gail Newcomb for her work as Technical Editor in researching and writing "Tree Crops in NZ - Basic Crops" and the updating of the Fact Sheets.
- 2003 Jim Dunckley for his work with apple cultivars and as a long-standing newsletter editor.
- 2004 Les Gruebner for the Tree Crops web site, the communications breakthrough.
- 2005 David Murdoch for the develoment of walnuts and hazelnuts.
- 2006 Mark Christensen for his significant Apples and Cancer Research
- 2007 Murray Redpath for his enduring efforts with Hazelnuts
- 2008 Jenny Lawrence for her pursuit of edible tree crops, nuts, and walnuts in particular
- 2009 Nick Nelson-Parker for his contributions especially to our knowledge of walnuts
- 2010 Gordon Lees for his work benefiting all NZTCA members, and all fruit growers in NZ
Honorary Life Members
This award is not made lightly, nor even annually, but in order to recognise the special contribution a member has made to the Association. Those who have received this recognition are:
- Roland Clark - Past President and founding member.
- Doug Davies - Past National Secretary, and founding member.
- David & Alison Ryde - for services to the Tree Crops Journal.
- Ian Howat - Past President.
- Owen Long - Past President.
- Hamish Deans - Past President.
- Mary Banks - Past National Treasurer.
- Hazel Nicholls - Past President.
- Tom Dinning - Past National Secretary and Information Officer.
- Maurice Denton - Past President.
- Hugh Wylie - Past National Treasurer.
- Diana Loader - Past National President.
