James Blair Named 2026 Young Grower National Champion
James Blair, an agronomist for AS Wilcox and the Pukekohe regional champion, has won the 2026 Young Grower national title.
The roadmap builds on the sector's Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan (AHAP). It was launched by Associate Agriculture Minister Nicola Grigg, in partnership with the sector, at the Horticulture Conference in Wellington today.
Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Kate Scott says work on the AHAP has, to date, focused on delivery of early-win projects and implementation planning.
"The new roadmap signals the transition from aspiration to implementation," Scott says.
"All actions will be completed with sustainability in mind," she adds.
Associate Agriculture Minister Nicola Grigg says the Implementation Roadmap launched today will assist in driving the ongoing success of Kiwi growers.
"It includes practical actions that build on work to boost growth and resilience, focusing on three key areas: building foundations, driving farmgate value and enabling a future-fit sector," Grigg says.
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She says that collective input and support from industry, government, Māori, and research providers will be key to the success of the roadmap.
"This support signals a joint commitment to implement the AHAP, and the roadmap will drive its successful delivery," Grigg says.
Andrew Gibbs, independent chair of the AHAP, says this next phase will generate a concerted effort across the roadmap's priority areas.
"The planned actions include a strong focus on enduring policies and approaches that will help future-proof our horticulture sector," Gibbs says.
"This includes areas such as workforce, labour and employment settings, growing exports, facilitating access to germplasm, improving crop protection tools and practices for growers, and celebrating Māori success in the horticulture sector," he says.
Gibbs says the roadmap takes a phased approach to deliver the AHAP.
"A stocktake in 2024 identified more than 530 discrete initiatives that align with AHAP actions, many of which are already underway or have now been completed," he says. "This was a key consideration when deciding the actions to include in the Implementation Roadmap."
“While all actions in the AHAP are a high priority, we will be taking a sensible, phased approach.
“The success of the AHAP and achieving the goal of doubling farmgate value by 2035 will require close collaboration.
“It also serves as a challenge to all the quad partners of industry, government, Māori, and research providers to take action – their contribution and support will help us achieve sustainable growth, and drive grower success across New Zealand.”
