Catherine Wilks, a 32-year-old from Tauranga, is influencing the global avocado industry with fresh ideas and innovation. As the industry systems associate for NZ Avocado, Catherine recently presented at the Avocado World Congress, attracting 1200 delegates from 33 countries. Her talk on arthropod pests affecting New Zealand’s avocados received widespread acclaim.
Catherine’s fascination with agriculture and sustainable farming practices led her to the avocado sector. Following her Bachelor of Science from Massey University, she ventured into applied entomology at Plant and Food Research. Her roles in the horticulture sector for kiwifruit and avocados began after a stint at Eurofins. Her attraction to avocados grew after attending conferences, leading her to a diversified role at NZ Avocado, where she found interest in the sustainable AvoGreen pest management programme.
Her responsibilities at NZ Avocado include overseeing the AvoGreen pest monitoring programme, ensuring quality standards, and supporting avocado growers.
Feedback from the Avocado World Congress showed significant interest in New Zealand’s avocado practices. The discussions provided a platform for knowledge exchange, which Catherine found “inspiring and enlightening.”
Catherine believes that the younger generation is infusing the avocado industry with fresh perspectives and innovation, harnessing technological advancements for improved efficiency and sustainability. While acknowledging the vast experience within the industry, she emphasizes the valuable learning opportunities it offers the younger workforce.
Despite recent weather-related challenges in the avocado sector, Catherine remains optimistic about its future, highlighting avocados’ myriad health benefits and delicious taste as reasons for their continued demand.
