Ōpōtiki grower wins 2025 Kiwifruit Innovation Award
Brett Wotton, an Eastern Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower and harvest contractor, has won the 2025 Kiwifruit Innovation Award for his work to support lifting fruit quality across the industry.
The scholarship is for up to five students during each year of their studies towards Massey University’s bachelor of horticultural science degree.
The Zespri Science Scholarships are aimed at students considering a career in the fast-growing kiwifruit industry, says Dr Kylie Phillips, Zespri innovation team leader, supply chain.
The scholarships include mentoring opportunities, and exposure to and support from the wider industry.
“Zespri is on track to nearly double global sales from 2010 levels to $4.5 billion by 2025 and we can only do this by attracting the right people with the right skills,” Phillips said.
“Zespri’s extensive research and development programme is building scientific understanding of how best to grow and deliver premium quality kiwifruit to consumers all over the world. “Technology and science are changing our industry and the horticulturalists of tomorrow will need different skillsets from the growers and postharvest operators of today.
“With the industry growing strongly in New Zealand and around the world, we want to attract talented young people with the skills [we need]... This is an exciting time to be starting a career in the kiwifruit industry.”
Massey’s School of Agriculture and Environment head Professor Peter Kemp says the scholarship will be a great opportunity for students and the kiwifruit industry.
“Zespri’s investment shows additional support for the degree and the students it will produce. The Bachelor of Horticultural Science welcomed its first cohort this year, aiming to fulfil a real need in a booming industry.
“It was created with close engagement from industry leaders, including Zespri. By working closely with industry, we will continue to produce students with the broad knowledge they will need to excel within this industry and prepare them for future jobs,” said Kemp.
Applicants for the scholarships should show how they are helping, or are planning to help, develop the New Zealand horticultural industry, with a particular emphasis on kiwifruit. They should show their own personal passion and commitment to kiwifruit and horticulture as a career.
This scholarship is part of Zespri’s broader programme of education and personal development at every age and stage from science in junior schools to scholarships for tertiary study, and career development for future and current leaders of the kiwifruit industry.
Applications are now open and close at the end of January 2020.
Paying to learn
Primary ITO is launching a scholarship for apprentice fees.
Applications are open in October and November and will cover fees for the whole duration of the apprenticeships, which generally take two-three years.
“Our industries are facing unprecedented challenges right now and we believe scholarships for apprentices will help business gain the skills they need,” says Primary ITO’s incoming chief executive Nigel Philpott.
“Offering scholarships for apprenticeships is one way of encouraging people to build a career in the primary industries, particularly as we know there is huge demand for people in all industries.”
The scholarships are available for apprentices in dairy farming, sheep and beef, and horticulture production.
Philpott says an apprenticeship sets people on a pathway to a successful career.
