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Food Focus August 2007

In focus

NZFSA comes of age

The Boat Shed on Wellington’s lagoon was the setting for NZFSA’s fifth birthday party held in July. It also saw the launch of NZFSA as a stand-alone Public Service department. Guests were welcomed with an opening speech by Minister for Food Safety, Annette King. Ms King told those present that she had been encouraged at the way the decision-making process to separate NZFSA and MAF had progressed within such a short timeframe and thanked both organisations for their input.

“Of particular pleasure to me was Andrew’s decision to accept the role of Acting Chief Executive of the new agency. Under Andrew’s leadership NZFSA has become a vibrant agency with a high level of morale and purpose, respected both within New Zealand and internationally for its people and their ability to formulate and deliver cuttingedge strategy and policy. I am confident that, with Andrew at the helm, the new, stand-alone NZFSA will continue to serve New Zealand’s interests well into the future.”

Among those who attended were representatives from industry, consumer groups, health professionals and other government departments.

NZFSA at National Fieldays

The 39th New Zealand National Fieldays attracted record numbers on the opening day with 27,122 visitors passing through the gates. This is the biggest agricultural trade fair in the Southern Hemisphere with events featuring innovation, technology and demonstration. This year’s theme was traceability and NZFSA’s stand in the Grand Pavilion displayed a range of resources of interest to industry, consumers and the farming community. Technical experts were also on hand to answer queries on subjects as diverse as labelling, exports, imports and market access.

Foodsafe Feleti warms up to Pasifika Festival

The Pasifika Festival takes place in March every year and is the South Pacific’s largest Pacific islands community event, attracting around 200,000 festival goers. Nearly half the 300 stalls sell Pacific island food – from fresh coconuts and mangoes to food prepared and cooked in tradition umu or lovo. NZFSA’s Food Safe Feleti was there, ensuring the clean, cook, cover and chill messages were well received.

Director moves on

Tim Knox, NZFSA’s director (New Zealand Standards) has taken up a new position as Director (Border Standards) with Biosecurity New Zealand. “Tim is a top performer and Biosecurity New Zealand will really benefit from his skills and experience,” says NZFSA Acting CEO Andrew McKenzie. “While I’m sad to lose him, a real positive for NZFSA is having someone in Biosecurity New Zealand with a good understanding of our modus operandi and thinking around international trade and risk-based standards.”

Tim has worked in various roles within NZFSA and MAF for 26 years. During his time with NZFSA he was Director (Dairy and Plant Products) before becoming Director (Domestic and Imported Food). When NZFSA underwent a review in 2005 he was made Director (New Zealand Standards). The group is responsible for developing, implementing, evaluating and reviewing safety and suitability standards for production, processing, importation, transportation, storage and sale of food and food-related products within New Zealand.

NZFSA takes to the road

NZFSA’s Andrew McKenzie will be holding meetings with key industry stakeholders in several main centres during September and October. Dr McKenzie is keen to talk to those who are likely to be closely affected by NZFSA’s work and discuss its future direction, strategic initiatives and their perspectives of the organisation. If you are interested in attending a local meeting, call Dale Flavell on 04 894 2469 for details.

New-look Food Focus

To coincide with NZFSA’s role as a stand-alone Public Service department, Food Focus has also taken on a new persona.

We hope you like our new design. The regular columns are now flagged so you can go quickly to your particular area of interest, such as Campylobacter, progress of the new Food Bill legislation or FBI. You will now find the general features in the middle section of the magazine.

What hasn’t changed is our coverage of the broad range of news and information about the work NZFSA is involved in. If there is a topic you would like to read about, don’t hesitate to let us know. You can also subscribe to Food Focus – at no cost.