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 HortNZ board says it is disappointed to see Tunley go, but she leaves HortNZ with “a strong team, strong structure and strong direction set out in the strategy and the Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan”.
“While the timing of a valued CEO’s departure is never ideal, the board and Nadine feel it is important that with a new commodity levy proposal about to be voted on, HortNZ is able to recruit a replacement CEO that can lead the organisation and deliver the strategic outcomes for the next six years, with the full energy required,” the board says.
Tunley took over as HortNZ CEO in May 2021. She has been involved in the apple and pear industry since 2000. She was chair of NZ Apples & Pears Inc from August 2012 until April 2018, and has been a director of HortNZ since 2010.
Her involvement in the industry began just prior to deregulation in 2001, where she was tasked with exporting some of the first shipments made outside of the single desk model.
