HortNZ Welcomes Plant Variety Rights Amendments for Growers and Breeders
Horticulture New Zealand says proposed changes to the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022 will drive innovation, investment and long-term productivity.
Applications are open for Horticulture New Zealand’s (HortNZ) 2025 scholarship programme with18 funding opportunities for students with a special interest in the commercial fruit and vegetable industry.
Hort NZ, which represents New Zealand’s more than 4,500+ commercial growers, offers a range of scholarships to students who are studying towards undergraduate or postgraduate degrees every year.
Kate Scott, HortNZ chief executive, said the programme is strongly focused on supporting the next generation of innovators and leaders in the sector.
“There is a huge range of career opportunities in the sector, from agronomy to engineering, biosecurity to sales and marketing, policy and much more. Our previous scholars reflect that diversity of study topics and the careers they have gone on to enjoy.
“We’re focused on our goal of doubling the farmgate value of production by 2035 in a way that improves prosperity for our people and protects our environment. Our scholarship programme recognises and supports the highly skilled, highly motivated young leaders who will be critical to achieving the sector’s ambitious targets.”
Two postgraduate scholarships, each worth $10,000, are available nationally for the 2025 academic year. These focus on students undertaking postgraduate study in New Zealand and tackling challenges critical to the horticulture industry’s future success.
The Horticulture New Zealand Postgraduate Scholarship is awarded to a student undertaking postgraduate study in horticulture or a related field.
The New Zealand Fruitgrowers Charitable Trust Postgraduate Scholarship is for a student undertaking study specifically related to the fruit industry.
Thirteen Horticulture New Zealand Undergraduate Scholarships, worth $1,500 each, are provided to enable successful applicants to attend the 2025 Horticulture Conference.
Nine of these will be awarded to applicants from New Zealand’s major growing regions including, Northland; Auckland/Waikato; Bay of Plenty; Gisborne; Hawke’s Bay; Lower North Island; Tasman, including Nelson, Marlborough and the West Coast, Canterbury; and Otago and Southland. The remaining four will be awarded nationally.
Three Horticentre Trust Scholarships valued at $4,500 will also be awarded.
Applicants must be a tertiary student studying towards an undergraduate degree or diploma in any discipline and be able to demonstrate their intent to support the New Zealand fruit and vegetable industry post study. Applications for all of the scholarships close on 1 December 2024, 11pm.
For further details or to apply, please visit www.hortnz.co.nz/people-jobs-and-labour/scholarships/.
Horticulture New Zealand says proposed changes to the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022 will drive innovation, investment and long-term productivity.
More than 1200 exhibitors will showcase their products and services at next month’s National Fieldays, with sites nearly sold out.
Despite difficult trading conditions for European machinery manufacturers brought about conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, alongside the United States imposing punitive tariffs, Italian manufacturer Maschio Gaspardo, has seen turnover increase 12% in 2025 to €390 million (NZ$775m) with a net profit of €11.2 million (NZ$22.3).
New Zealand innovation company Techion, best known for its animal diagnostics platform, FECPAK has signed an exclusive strategic partnership with Farmlands to bring independent animal health disease intelligence to its customers.
Zespri says it welcomes the recently signed Western Bay of Plenty Regional Deal, describing it as an important step towards supporting growth in the region and for New Zealand's kiwifruit industry.
Troubled milk processor Synlait has lost its third chief executive in five years.