Hastings’ Sam Carter wins Hawke’s Bay 2025 Young Grower Regional Title
Sam Carter, assistant manager for T&G's Pakowhai Sector, has been named the Hawke's Bay 2025 Young Grower of the Year.
Maatu Akonga, assistant manager at T&G Global, took out the title of 2022 Hawke’s Bay Young Fruit Grower of the Year on Friday night.
Akonga vied for the title against six other contestants in a series of theoretical and practical modules designed to exercise their skills and knowledge on pruning, manual handling, health and safety, export market requirements, and quality control among other topics.
“I feel very humbled and honoured to have won,” he says. “I learnt a lot from each module, identified skills that I could improve on and challenged myself.
“My colleagues and mentors encouraged me to enter the competition and I’m glad I did. It has given me the opportunity to see where I am at in my career and to grow my skills further.”
Akonga says one highlight of the competition was meeting other young growers.
“The other contestants were great,” he says. “I’ve built some good friendships and developed industry connections with a range of companies too.
“For those that are thinking about entering the competition, I would say, step outside your comfort zone – you never know what you could achieve.”
Akonga will compete for his share of $30,000 in prizes at the National Young Grower of the Year final in Nelson on September 21-22.
HortNZ chief executive Nadine Tunley says the competition provides the next generation of growers with a valuable opportunity to further their careers.
“Our young growers are the future leaders of our industry,” she says.
Tunley says the competitions help growers test their limits and realise their potential.
“They also provide exceptional professional development and networking opportunities.
“Contestants walk away with greater confidence, new skills and connections and a boost to their horticulture career pathway.”
She says a combination of extreme weather events, the Covid-19 pandemic and increasing red tape have made the past few years particularly tough for growers.
“That’s why being able to hold events such as the Young Grower of the Year again is important. They are an opportunity for us to come together, catch up, celebrate our young growers’ success and foster growth and resilience in our sector,” she says.
OPINION: Ministry for Primary Industries' situation outlook for primary industries report (SOPI) makes impressive reading.
Sheep and beef farmers Matt and Kristin Churchward say using artificial intelligence (AI) to spread fertiliser on their sprawling 630ha farm is a game changer for their business.
Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are being encouraged to cast their votes in the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board directors' election.
A unique discovery by a Palmerston North science company, Biolumic, looks set to revolutionise the value and potential of ryegrass and the secret is the application of ultraviolet (UV) light.
A New Zealand company is redefining the global collagen game by turning New Zealand sheepskin into a world-class health product.
With further extreme weather on the way, ANZ Bank is encouraging farmers and business owners impacted by the recent extreme weather and flooding to seek support if they need it.
OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…
OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…