He will now go on to compete against six other regional winners in the national Young Grower of the Year competition in Cromwell on August 27-28.
William, aged 29, gained a degree in marketing and logistics and worked in the wider fruit and vegetable market in Wellington before returning to the family business in 2020.
KWKiwi grows kiwifruit and also partners with leading horticulture technologies to develop tools, including non-destructive fruit growth and quality measurements/ forecasting, smarter water use and climate insights, to benefit kiwi growers and the wider horticulture sector.
“I grew up learning about the business and really enjoy the opportunities for innovation and growing a great product which is healthy and enjoyed by consumers around the world,” he says.
“The role is different every day. We grow kiwifruit but also push the boundaries of innovation and technology, developed in-house, to help move the industry as a whole forward.
“Depending on which hat I’m wearing, I’ll be working on data and innovation or spending time out in the orchard working with the vines.”
William sees the regional and national Young Grower competitions as playing a vital role in the sector’s drive to raise awareness of careers in the sector.
“The competition is absolutely important to encourage people to upskill and learn different skills. It showcases different aspects of what horticulture involves and highlights what the career possibilities are.
“The competition was a lot of fun. I went out to enjoy it and didn’t think I would win. It was so good to meet all the other competitors and learn some new skills.
“I’d encourage young people looking for an interesting career to give horticulture a go. A computer cannot grow produce. There will always be a need for fresh food, so in horticulture you will always have a job moving forward and, whatever path you take in the industry, you will know you are playing your part in producing healthy food for people.”
Runner-up in the competition was Aimee Barker‑Gilbert, who is the external operations manager at Hume Pack‑N‑Cool in Katitkati. Third place went to Patterson Kelly, an orchard manager with Trevelyan’s Pack and Cool in Te Puke.
The competition celebrates the success of young people in the industry as well as encourages others to consider a career in horticulture.
