About the NZICA > History of the Association - The New Zealand Ice Cream Association (Inc.)

The History of Ice Cream in New Zealand

The History of Ice Cream in New Zealand

By Chris Newey

The History of the NZ Ice Cream Association

The New Zealand Ice Cream Manufacturers Association was incorporated in 1927 - foundation members at that first meeting were W. Arthur Fisher (Chair), Frozen Products, Wellington; P.H. Ferguson, Robinson Ice Cream Co., Auckland; and H. Turner, Crystal Ice Cream, Dunedin.

The Chairman and President of the Association on establishment was W. Arthur Fisher, who is considered to be the founder of the Association.

The first NZICMA Conference was held in Wellington in 1928. Companies attending were Frozen Products, Wellington; Royal, Dunedin; Crystal, Dunedin; McDonald's, Hamilton; Robinson's, Auckland; Wise's, Gisborne; Perfection, Christchurch; Aurora, New Plymouth and Clarke's, Petone.

At the Conference, H. Turner became the Association's first elected Chairman and President.

This report on the 1931 annual NZICMA Conference appeared in Wellington's Evening Post, 3 August 1931:

ICE CREAM INDUSTRY
MANUFACTURERS MEET

The fourth annual conference of the New Zealand Wholesale Ice Cream Manufacturers' Association was formally opened last week by the Minister. of Health (the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy). Mr. H. Turner presided.

Mr. Turner referred to the cordial cooperation which existed between the association's members, and the Department of Health, and said he felt sure that it would continue. The members present represented the principal manufacturers from Auckland to Dunedin, whose capital interests were in the region of £500,000. The production of 600,000 gallons of ice cream annually absorbed the output of a huge herd of cows, and when it was remembered that in order to secure milk and cream of the maximum purity and quality, the industry paid a price that was at least 25 per cent, higher than the ruling rates for butterfat, it could be seen what a valuable, adjunct this was to the dairy industry, especially as it was during flush periods, when the dairy farmer had to accept a very low price, that the bulk of the industry's requirements were purchased.

Mr. Stallworthy referred to the activities of the association, and said, that, in his opinion, it deserved great credit for its resourcefulness during the present difficult times. The ice cream industry was an important adjunct to the dairy industry, and should be fostered in every possible manner. He was pleased to have the president assure him that the Department of Health and the association were working in closest co-operation, with a view to conserving the interests of the public. The chairman assured the Minister that one of the main objects of the association was the improvement of the condition, of manufacture, of ice cream, and the safeguarding of the public health. The executive's annual report and statement of accounts were adopted.

The following remits were carried:-
" That a further endeavour be made to have the vital statistics in connection with, the industry prepared .for specific mention in the. New Zealand Year Book."
''That efforts be made to have removed various anomalies which exist under the Police Offences Act in relation to the industry."
''That an official insignia or symbol be adopted for the use of association members only, indicating that membership may be considered representative of the high standard of quality of their products. for which the association stands."
" That the executive lose no opportunity of co-operating with the Department of Health in an endeavour to ensure the most perfect hygienic conditions in the manufacture, delivery, and sale to the public of all ice cream products."
" That the Department of Health be again approached with the request that preparations containing. less than the standard quality of butterfat be designated on sale as 'water-ices' instead of 'ices' with a view to more fully "protecting the public against the possibility, of purchasing an inferior article of doubtful nutritious value in the belief that it is a form of icecream.'
''That the Commissioner of Taxes be deputised with a view to a complete review of rates of depreciation on ice cream plants."
" That the Railway Department be approached with a view to eliminating various anomalies which exist with regard to railway rates."

Mr. F. Wise, of Gisborne, read an interesting paper illustrating the successful results of modern ice cream manufacturing methods in the sterilisation of milk and cream, thus providing a very vital factor in conserving and protection of public health.

It was decided to hold the next conference at Wellington. The election of executive officers resulted: Messrs. H. Turner (Dunedin), W. A. Fisher (Wellington), and P. Wise (Gisborne). Mr. Turner was elected president, and Mr. H. R. Ayers (Wellington), secretary.

First Chairman and President,
Mr W. Arthur Fisher

First elected Chairman
and President,
Mr H. Turner

The New Zealand Ice Cream Manufacturers' Association (Inc.)

PRESIDENTS

1927	W Arthur Fisher
1928 - 1932	H Turner
1932 - 1938	F H Wise
1938 - 1940	F H Wright
1940 - 1943	G R Millward
1943 - 1945	A Lamont
1945 - 1947	G Gourley
1947 - 1948	J H Naylor
1948 - 1950	R M Byford
1950 - 1952	F O Rice
1952 - 1955	R G Watkins
1955 - 1957	S C Robertson
1957 - 1960	A Massey
1960 - 1963	H J Horrell
1963 - 1972	W O Clarke
1972 - 1977	O N Norton
1977 - 1979	G R Ward
1979 - 1982	R C Fyfe
1982 - 1984	H Van der Giessen
1984 - 1986	M R Taylor
1986 - 1988	B S Simon
1988 - 1989	K R Stratful
1989 - 1991	K Barlow
1991 - 1993	R Van der Giessen
1993 - 1994	R Whitfield
1994 - 1998	J W Murphy
1998 - 2000	F R Gilbert
2000 - 2003	M G Moore
2003 - 2005	K Milne
2005 - 2007	Ms G Alder
2007 - 2010	Miss B Simon
2010 - 2012	S Lamont
2012 - 2012	S Flynn
2012 - 2015	R Auton
2015 - 2017	K Tiefenbacher
2017 - 2019	Ms J Matthews
2019 -	A Gimenez

THE FROSTEE DIGEST

Published by the NZ Ice Cream Manufacturers' Association between 1940 and 1972

The Frostee Digest, June 1943 issue cover

Five Presidents at the 1949 NZICMA Conference, Dunedin.
L-R: Messrs Byford, Lamont, Fisher, Wright, Gourley and Naylor.

New Zealand Ice Cream Manufacturers Association Silver Jubilee Conference, Christchurch, 1952.

By 1953, the Association could claim 49 manufacturing members and 30 associate members.

The Association published its own quarterly magazine, "The Frostee Digest" from 1940 until 1972, and holds copies of all issues from June 1943 in its archives.

New Zealand Ice Cream Manufacturers Association Golden Jubilee Conference, Timaru, 1977.

NZICA Annual Conference 1991, Invercargill
New Zealand Ice Cream Manufacturers Association 1991 Conference, Invercargill.

In 1997 the Association launched the New Zealand Ice Cream Awards.

In 2017, the Association celebrated its 90th anniversary in Auckland with a special Gala Dinner and Awards evening:

NZICA 90th Annual Conference 2017, Auckland

The Awards receive nationwide publicity, help raise the standard of ice cream production and raise the profile of the industry.

The 2020 Awards judging team.

In 2022, the Association changed its name to The New Zealand Ice Cream Association (Inc.).

2023 Awards, Champion Gelato Trophy.

Legend: Pen Moore - fifty years of service

Penwill James "Pen" Moore was Executive Secretary of the NZICMA (now the NZICA) for an incredible 50 years.

Pen graduated from Victoria University as an accountant and had a strong interest in yachting.

He served with the Royal Navy during WW2, seeing intense action in the Russian convoys, the relief of Malta, the invasion of Algiers, and D-Day.

As a compass swinger, he helped guide his ship to the D-Day landings off Juno Beach in Normandy on June 6, 1944, although the mission was so secret even he did not know where they were. He did not go ashore but remembered the sounds of the bombs, describing the noise as “incredible”.

For his part in the landings, he was later awarded France’s highest medal, the Legion of Honour.

While on leave in Salcombe, England, a German air raid scored a direct hit on the house where he was staying, killing his cousin and burying Pen alive. He spent weeks in hospital with an injured leg.

After the war he worked as an accountant in Wellington and was appointed Dominion Secretary of the NZICMA in 1953.

He eventually set up his own business with his daughter Jenny, Moore and De Lisle Chartered Accountants.

Over those fifty years of service, Pen, his wife Esme and daughter Jenny became the heart of the Ice Cream Manufacturers' Association.

Pen retired from his position at the 76th NZICMA Annual General Meeting and Conference held in Invercargill, June 2003. He was honoured by the Association with Life Membership.

Enjoying a long and eventful life, Pen remained active, fit and sharp right up to his 100th birthday, sadly passing away in late 2021 aged 101.

Penwill James Moore: 29 August 1920 - 23 December 2021.

Pen on his appointment as Dominion Secretary of the NZICA in 1953.

Pen, left, is presented with his retirement gift by fellow Life Members Brian Simon and John Murphy, on behalf of the Association, June 2003.

Pen on his 100th Birthday, with card from the Queen, August 2020.
- Photo Ross Giblin | Stuff.

Back to the History of Ice Cream in New Zealand

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