Horticulture New Zealand

28/08/2026

Congratulations to our 2026 Young Grower of the Year, James Blair representing Pukekohe.

21/07/2026

Meet this year’s outstanding finalists competing for the Young Grower title 🌱

Each finalist brings fresh ideas, dedication, and passion for growing that inspires us all.

If you’re heading to the New Zealand Horticulture Conference next week, be sure to look out for them and have a chat!

The countdown is on! ⏰ The National Final will be held in Cromwell from 27-28 August 2026. Visit younggrower.co.nz to secure tickets and find out more!



James Blair 🌱 Pukekohe

Originally from the UK, James grew up on a family farm and completed a BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Crop Science. After travelling and working in Australia, he moved to New Zealand three years ago with his partner Meg and now work for A.S. Wilcox, supporting large-scale potato production, based in Matamata. James’s experience spans technical and operational roles. And he is particularly interested in soil health, nutrient management, and using data to improve on-farm outcomes. Outside work, James enjoys rugby, hiking, surfing, and exploring new places.

Maddi Sheridan 🌱 Hawke’s Bay

Maddi is the Quality and Compliance Manager – Growing at T&G Global, a role she stepped into after returning from two years in Canada at the end of 2025. In her current position, she supervises on-orchard QA teams during harvest, oversees compliance including the GlobalGAP Audit, and works to strengthen communication and understanding between orchard and packhouse operations.

Maddi’s journey into horticulture began during her studies at Massey University, where a T&G scholarship sparked a passion for the industry that led her to change her degree to Horticultural Science. She joined T&G’s tech team full-time in 2020 as a Supply and Quality Technician, contributing to a range of technical projects, and went on to co-develop a 2D Best Practice Scorecard to improve orchard accountability. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Horticultural Science.

James Torrie 🌱 Tairāwhiti Gisborne

James is a dedicated crop manager with Wi Pere Trust who has grown his horticulture career from a summer nursery job into managing a diverse portfolio of crops across the business. Starting out grafting ci

16/07/2026

Last chance to register for the New Zealand Horticulture Conference and Horticulture Industry Awards and Gala Dinner - registrations close, midnight, tomorrow.

The speakers are locked in. The exhibition hall is sold out. The programme is now live. The countdown is now on for the 2026 New Zealand Horticulture Conference. Don't miss your opportunity to hear from leading voices across the horticulture sector, including growers, government, researchers, industry leaders and innovators shaping the future of New Zealand horticulture.

For a taste of what you'll experience watch the highlights of last year's conference here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwyAgoPZ9R0

🎟️ New Zealand Horticulture Conference
📆 28-29 July
📍 Takina, Wellington

We look forward to seeing you there. 🍒🥬🥝

Register now www.hortnz.co.nz

01/07/2026

Congratulations to Amber Davy for winning Canterbury Young Grower of the Year 2026 last week 🎉

We now have a foll cohort of growers from diferent regions that will head to Cromwell in August for National Young Grower of the Year!

To find out more about the National Young Grower of the Year competition visit our bio.

22/06/2026

A big congratulations to William Kenna who won Hawkes Bay Young Fruit Grower of the Year 2026 last Friday!

Now we look forward to the last regional competition - Canterbury Young Grower of the Year 2026 which kicks off on the 25th of June this Thursday!

22/06/2026

Congratulations to Amelia Marsden for taking out the Nelson Young Grower of the Year competition for the second time last Friday🏆

22/06/2026

The Hawke's Bay Young Grower of the Year Competition did not dissapoint!

Congratulations to Maddi Sheridann for taking out top spot last Friday 🌱

19/06/2026

Highlights from a sunny day at the Nelson Young Grower of the Year ☀️🌱

17/06/2026

Highlights from Gisborne Young Grower of the Year 2026 last Thursday!

Great job to the all the Young Growers that participated.

17/06/2026

Congratulations to James Torrie for taking home Gisborne Young Grower of the Year 2026 last Thursday 🎉