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Developing our
future leaders
Since 2007, Horticulture New Zealand has run the annual Young Grower of the Year competition. Young fruit and vegetable growers from around the country compete in regional heats, testing their horticultural skills and knowledge. The winners of the regional competitions then compete in the national final.
Young Grower pushes contestants out of their comfort zone and teaches them valuable new skills along the way. The competition provides exceptional professional development and networking opportunities, providing a massive career boost to all who enter.
2019 National Finals Recap
The highly anticipated 2019 Young Grower of the Year competition saw our seven finalists from all over NZ battle it out. They took part in a range of business and practical modules throughout the day.
The 2019 finalists included Alex Ashe, Ellen Watt, Austin Singh Purewal (winner of the Young Vegetable Grower), Regan Judd, Craig Botting, Sam Tietjen, and Jono Sutton (overall Young Grower, and Young Fruit Grower winner).
Mike Chapman, Chief Executive of HortNZ, gives us a recap of the day, featuring 2018 winner Danni van der Heijden.
Prizes
$12,000
Young Grower
of the Year
$1,500
NZ Young Vegetable Grower
$1,500
NZ Young
Fruit Grower
$500 each
Leadership
Best Innovation
Best Practical
Best Business
Best Speech
$1,000 each
For Professional Development
Key Conditions of Entry
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Must be currently working full time in the fruit or vegetable industry in an organisation that is closely associated with growing.
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Must be 30 years of age or under as at 31 December.
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Three years practical work experience in the industry.
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Must be available to compete in the Young Horticulturist of the Year competition in November on winning the competition.
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Must be a New Zealand citizen or hold a current New Zealand residency permit.
See regional entry forms for more details
2021 Dates
Bay of Plenty
Postponed due to Covid - date TBC
Pukekohe
7 May 2021
Central Otago
21 May 2021
Hawkes Bay
Competition: 3 June 2021
Awards dinner: 4 June 2021
Nelson
2 July 2021
Gisborne
8 July 2021
Finalist Training Day
24 - 25 August 2021
National Final
22 - 23 September 2021
22 Sept - Business and Practical modules
23 Sept - Leadership panel (afternoon)
- Evening awards dinner
incl. contestant speeches
National Finals
Wellington
22-23 September 2021
More details to be announced.
In 2021 we are taking the National Final of Young Grower of the Year to the Capital.
With so much political activity and reform affecting the horticulture industry, it is a prime time to bring the Young Grower competition to within earshot of the Beehive.
The national finals will put the regional finalists to the test. A series of business and practical modules will test their horticultural skills, business knowledge, leadership abilities, and oratory talents.
Spectators are welcome to attend the business and practical modules that will be held during the day. The Leadership Panel will be held at an evening Awards Dinner where the winner will be announced.
There will be training days for finalists before the final competition.
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