The candidates standing to fill three vacancies on the HortNZ board are Mr McNally, Simon Cook, Shane Flynn, Tom Keefe, Dermott Malley, John Murphy, Carol Palmer, Erin Simpson and Shaun Vickers.
Mr McNally and his wife Gretchen and their three children have owned and operated a summerfruit orchard and packhouse in Clyde for the past seven years.
The three main issues facing growers were economics, access to reliable irrigation and land-use change, Mr McNally said.
Financial sustainability was essential and a priority for growers, as high on-farm inflation coupled with softer domestic demand had reduced profit margins, he said.
Access to reliable irrigation rights with longer renewal terms had become more challenging, with freshwater polices yet to be fully understood nationally and consistent regionally.
He understood the importance and necessity of irrigation and had been a member of Earnscleugh Irrigation Company Ltd for six years including as former director and current chairman.
Land-use change from rural to residential, including on highly productive land, was an issue.
"[It] must be managed to protects our right to farm as much as it provides for people’s right to housing."
Mr McNally’s experience includes working more than a decade as a rural agribusiness manager in Otago, servicing clients across most primary industries including horticulture, dairy, and sheep and beef.
He is a member of The Institute of Directors New Zealand.
Last year, he was selected to attend the "To The Core" leadership and governance development programme, supported by Farmlands, Silver Fern Farms and LIC.
He attended Lincoln University and gained a bachelor of commerce in agriculture, majoring in valuation and farm management.
"I’ve had an involvement in the industry now for seven years and in governance for six years and I’ve thrown my hat in the ring."
HortNZ chairwoman Bernadine Guilleux encouraged all eligible growers to take part in the vote to help shape the future direction of the industry.
The board was looking for skilled, forward-thinking leaders who wanted to work together to help build a sustainable future for the horticulture industry.
"This is a chance for growers to choose the individuals they believe will best represent the diversity and breadth of our industry across crops, regions and perspectives.
"The board is seeking a broad range of skills and experience, particularly in the areas of finance, biosecurity and risk management, science and innovation, education, and Te Ao Māori.
"Adding these skills to the mix around the board table will help HortNZ continue delivering strong, effective advocacy to support New Zealand’s commercial fruit and vegetable growers."
Voting closes at noon on July 10.
