Young Grower of the Year

What is Young Grower?

Each year, young fruit and vegetable growers from across New Zealand take part in regional competitions that test their practical skills, technical knowledge, and understanding of the industry. The winners from each region go on to compete in the National Young Grower of the Year Final for the national title.

There are seven regional events: Pukekohe, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Nelson, Central Otago, and Canterbury. Each competition is run locally and independently, but together they make up the national Young Grower series. We work with Horticulture New Zealand and other regional organisers to strengthen and promote the Young Grower programme nationwide.

Eligibility criteria

The regional competitions are open to all eligible commercial fruit and vegetable growers. The exception being the Hawke’s Bay Young Fruitgrower of the Year competition which is open to commercial fruit growers only.

• Contestants must be currently working full-time in the fruit and vegetable industry
• Contestants must be 30 years of age or under as at 31 December of the year that they compete
• Contestants must show evidence of completing a minimum of three years practical work experience in the industry with the regional coordinators ensuring the three years practical experience is met. E.g. letter from employer
• Contestants must be available, if selected, to compete in the Young Grower of the Year National Competition (All travel costs will be met by Horticulture New Zealand)
• Contestants agree to abide by the competition rules
• All entrants must be familiar with health and safety issues associated with competition activities and follow the procedures set in place on the day
• Contestants must be New Zealand citizens or hold a current New Zealand residency permit, or be in the process of obtaining either their residency or citizenship A letter of support maybe be required

Contestants may reapply to regional competitions even if they have won one of these competitions in the past. However, the winner of the Young Grower of the Year National Final cannot reapply at a regional or national level.

 Want to get involved? Find all the details and contact information for both the regional and national finals below: