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Discover Young Grower of the Year

Young Grower of the Year is New Zealand's premier competition for emerging horticulture professionals. Each year, the country's most promising fruit and vegetable growers put their skills, knowledge, and leadership abilities to the test in a series of regional competitions. The programme celebrates excellence within the horticulture industry while recognising the next generation of industry leaders. 

Discover Young Grower of the Year

Competitors begin by entering one of the seven regional Young Grower competitions held throughout Aotearoa. Each regional winner earns a place in the National Final, where they compete for the Young Grower of the Year title. 

The competition is designed to challenge participants across a wide range of practical, technical, and professional disciplines relevant to horticulture. 

Seven regional competitions are held annually across Aotearoa New Zealand:

  • Pukekohe
  • Tairāwhiti Gisborne
  • Bay of Plenty
  • Hawke's Bay
  • Nelson 
  • Canterbury
  • Central Otago

The regional competitions are open to all eligible commercial fruit and vegetable growers. The exception being the Hawke's Bay Young Fruitgrower of the Year competition which is open to commercial fruit growers only.

Each regional event is independently organised and celebrates the talent, innovation, and professionalism within its local horticultural sector. 

The National Final brings together the winners from each regional competition to compete for the Young Grower of the Year title. 

As the pinnacle of the competition, finalists face a series of challenges that test their leadership abilities, practical skills, and technical expertise.

2026 National Final information:

27-28 August 2026, Cromwell, New Zealand. 

Click here to secure your Gala Dinner and Awards tickets

 

Showcase your skills

Competitors are tested on their horticultural knowledge, leadership, communication, problem-solving, innovation and practical skills, showcasing the talent within New Zealand's future horticulture industry.

TimCuff HortNZ 032

Practical Skills

PukekoheYGOTY2026 Awards A7S3009

Public Speaking

PukekoheYGOTY2026 A745783

Horticultural Expertise

ALPH260618 00317

Leadership

Contestant Criteria - Conditions of Entry

Contestants must meet the following eligibility criteria: 

Contestant Criteria - Conditions of Entry

Contestants must be 30 years of age or under as of 31 December of the year prior to the competition.

Contestants must provide evidence to the local coordinator of completing a minimum of three years of practical work experience in the fruit or vegetable sector (e.g. a letter from the employer).

Local coordinators are responsible for verifying that the three years of practical experience have been met.

Contestants must be working full-time in the fruit or vegetable sector.

Contestants must be New Zealand citizens or hold a current New Zealand residency permit or be in the process of obtaining either their residency or citizenship. A letter of support may be required.

Contestants must be available, if selected, to compete in the Young Grower of the Year final in the same year they competed in the regional competition (All travel costs will be met by Horticulture New Zealand).

Contestants may reapply to regional competitions however, the winner of the Young Grower of the Year cannot reapply at a regional or national level. 

The winners of the regional competitions will be expected to be available for promotional purposes and give media interviews as required.

The contestants will be available to promote the competition where applicable.