Six finalists to compete for Grower of the Year title

Finalists from the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Nelson, Central Otago, and Pukekohe will compete in a series of challenges at the Tōmoana Showgrounds on October 9.

These include excavator operation, nutrition and fertigation, innovation, integrated pest management, agrichemical stewardship, horticulture biosecurity, fencing and repairs.

The winners will be announced at the annual gala dinner at Toitoi: Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre on October 10, where finalists will also take part in the Balance Leadership panel and FMG speech competition.

HortNZ acting chief executive Michelle Sands says the Young Grower of the Year event and the regional competitions, which are run independently of the national final, play an important role in supporting the next generation of industry leaders.

“The regional organisers who host and run the programmes do a great job and it’s very exciting to see such a high calibre of talented young people coming through these to compete for the national title,” Sands says.

“HortNZ takes great pride in hosting the national final in different parts of the country every year and we appreciate the support we receive from growers and our sponsors,” she adds.

The 2024 regional winners are:

• Bay of Plenty: Lilah Rosenfeldt, a trial specialist at Zespri International
• Gisborne: Pip Terekia, a trainee orchard manager at Apata Group
• Hawke’s Bay: Grace Fulford, a quality and compliance manager for T&G
• Nelson: Farrah Richards, packhouse packaging and inputs with Fairfield Orchards
• Central Otago: Luke St John, a packhouse manager for Fortune Fruit Company
• Pukekohe: Jamie Wells, an agronomist with Balle Brothers

To purchase tickets to the gala dinner, head to www.younggrower.co.nz