The growing business seeks its best
March 2008

The nationwide search for New Zealand’s most talented young horticulturists is underway. Over the next few months young people aged 30 years or under in nine horticulture categories, will be encouraged to enter their industry sector competition. The winner of each of these competitions will then participate in all the activities associated with the Grand Final of the NZ Horticulture ITO Young Horticulturist of the Year competition, to be held over two days in November at Auckland.

Participants must enter the competition via one of the following horticultural sectors listed:

NZ Arboriculture Association
Fruit Sector of Horticulture NZ
Floristry NZ Incorporated
Landscape Industry Association of NZ
Northern Cutflower Growers Association
Nursery and Garden Industry Association
NZ Recreation Association
NZ Winegrowers
Vegetable Sector of Horticulture NZ


The competition is in its fourth year. Last year’s winner was viticulturist Emma Taylor of Napier will use her award to visit vineyards in NSW, Victoria and South Australia. 2006’s winner, vineyard manager Marcus Wickham of Blenheim, used his award to look at grape production in Spain and Portugal. The 2005 winner, fruit export manager Dean Astill of Hastings, used his travel prize to study tropical fruit orchards in Malaysia and to source markets for New Zealand fruit in Thailand and Singapore.


Closing times for applications will vary between sectors, but will be no later than the 31st July 2008.


The Grand Final 1st Prize includes a travel and accommodation package to the value of $8,000, a Leadership NZ Management course to the value of $12,000, Swazi Clothing to the value of $1000 for all three placegetters and Fruitfed Supplies gift vouchers - $1000 for 1st, $750 for 2nd, $500 for 3rd.

Second prize also includes an Outward Bound course to the value of $3,500.

“The competition sets out to inspire, acknowledge and develop the talents of the under 30 year olds in the horticulture industry” said the event’s manager Elenka Nikoloff.

“We are highlighting the achievers in the industry. Our aims are very clear, to offer a fun enjoyable competition with some excellent prizes to inspire and retain really good people in the industry long term.

“We are also keen that they look towards further education as a way to develop their talents further. We look forward to watching all the finalists in the competition head towards leadership roles in horticulture in the years to come.”

Naming sponsor: NZ Hort ITO
Gold Sponsors: FruitFed Supplies, AGMARDT, Royal Business College,
Silver Sponsors: Leadership NZ, Carann Ltd
Sector Support Sponsors: Hort Research,
Affiliated Sponsors: ASPLUNDH, Horttraining NZ Ltd, Horticulture News, Auckland Botanic Gardens, Swazi Apparel, Bella Blooms, Yates NZ, Treescape, AsureQuality Ltd


For more information contact:
Elenka Nikoloff Event Manager for the Young Horticulturist of the Year Ph 09 636 5922, Ph 0276 332 858, elenka.nikoloff@xtra.co.nz

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