Young Grower of the Year is an annual competition run by Horticulture New Zealand to showcase the best young fruit and vegetable growers in the country. Regional winners from Pukekohe, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Nelson, and Central Otago compete in the national final, demonstrating their skills, knowledge, and leadership in the horticulture industry.
Proudly sponsored by the Horticentre Trust, this event is also supported by the Horticentre and TasmanCrop teams. Our staff across the country are actively involved on the ground—running modules, mentoring participants, and championing the next generation of industry leaders.
When & Where:
22nd May – Central Otago
15th May – Pukekohe
18th & 19th June – Hawke’s Bay (Young Fruitgrower of the Year)
11th June – Gisborne
19th June – Nelson
19th June – Bay of Plenty
25th June – Canterbury
27th & 28th August – National Final to be held in Central Otago
The Horticentre Trust are silver sponsors of this year’s Vegetable Research Roadshow. Vegetables NZ is hosting a number of workshops across the country that will showcase the latest insights on managing key pests and diseases, smarter nutrient management in vegetable crops, updates from A Lighter Touch and Te Ahikawariki, and new tools, technologies, and research outcomes relevant to all major vegetable sectors.
Join some of Horticentre’s vegetable specialist Technical Advisors for this great opportunity to catch up on the latest practical research and real-world grower solutions, workshops will be held in the following areas:
When & Where:
24 February – Dargaville
21 April – Pukekohe
22 April – Gisborne
23 April – Hawkes Bay
12 May – Ashburton
13 May – Levin
26 May – Ohakune
Horticentre Technical Manager, Chris Herries will be delivering a short presentation at the Levin workshop.
Tickets for all workshops are available HERE at no cost.
With backing from the Horticentre Trust the Young Amenity Horticulturist competition celebrates the next generation of talent in public and community green spaces. This annual competition recognises emerging leaders who are passionate about the places people live, play, and connect.
Focused on practical skills, leadership potential, and a deep appreciation for amenity landscapes, the competition offers a platform for personal and professional growth, helping to shape confident, capable kaitiaki of our shared spaces.
Support the future of Aotearoa’s parks, gardens, and open spaces and those who care for them.
Event Info:
When: 12th May
Where: Hamilton Gardens Pavilion
With backing from the Horticentre Trust Summerfruit NZ’s grower networking events are back this year in place of a conference.
Last held in 2024, these events received great feedback from the many growers that attended. Both events will feature an overseas summerfruit expert, Dr Mark O’Connell, who will give an on-orchard presentation during the day before each dinner.
Dr Mark O’Connell
Dr Mark O’Connell is a leading horticultural researcher specialising in precision orchard management and smart agri-technologies for stonefruit production. His work focuses on improving fruit quality, yield, and consistency through innovations in high-density orchard systems, regulated deficit irrigation, and rootstock and training trials.
Mark brings practical insights from decades of research into tools and strategies that help growers optimise water use, enhance fruit sweetness, and meet export market standards. His expertise in integrating technology with orchard management makes him a valuable voice for growers looking to boost profitability and sustainability.
Event Info:
When: 19th May | 21st May
Where: Black Barn Bistro, Hawke’s Bay | Wooing Tree, Central Otago
The Horticentre Trust is proud to be returning as a Gold Sponsor of the New Zealand Horticulture Conferences 2026.
This year marks a new era. The individual Horticulture Conference and RSE Conference have now come together as one unified event: The New Zealand Horticulture Conference.
By bringing both audiences together, this combined national conference creates a single powerful platform for growers, industry leaders, researchers, employers, and policymakers to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of horticulture in Aotearoa.
Join Horticentre for two days of insights, innovation, and industry‑wide conversation as we focus on building a stronger, more sustainable sector—together.
When: 28th & 29th July with a pre-registration event being held on 27 July (pre-conference RSE employer forum)
Where: Tākina Convention & Exhibition Centre, Wellington
The Horticentre Trust is proud to be the Principal Sponsor of the Organic Winegrowers New Zealand EcoVineyards Tour with Dr Mary Retallack.
Organic Winegrowers NZ will bring Dr Mary Retallack to NZ for regional workshops within our major wine producing regions. Each workshop will consist of a morning of theoretical knowledge on functional biodiversity, vineyard and soil health of vineyards followed by a practical session after lunch.
Growers will take home knowledge and tools to allow them to start monitoring and use practices to track biodiversity, vine and soil health within their own vineyards.
Tickets on sale in April.
Event Info:
When & Where:
21st July – Hawke’s Bay,
28th July – Marlborough
4th August – Central Otago
The Horticentre Trust is proud to be Silver Sponsor of this year’s key pipfruit gathering. Following a fantastic response to last year’s New Zealand Apple’s & Pears Expo format, this year’s event will run across two full days to allow delegates the opportunity to make the most of everything on offer, including:
- Technical workshops offering practical discussions to support decision-making on the job
- Specialist presentation and panel sessions that bring engaging speakers, forward-thinking experts, and the latest research and market perspectives.
Join our Horticentre & TasmanCrop advisors for this fantastic opportunity to connect and hear the latest in industry updates.
Event Info:
When: 22nd & 23rd July
Where: QT Queenstown
The Horticentre Trust is proud to sponsor the 2026 KVH Biosecurity Symposium, to be held in Mount Maunganui later this year.
This year’s symposium dives into what it takes to be prepared: proactive readiness, fast response, and smart collaboration. You’ll experience real‑world insights brought to life through dynamic presentations, practical case studies, and forward‑thinking discussions designed for growers, industry leaders, technical experts, and government partners.
Join Horticentre Technical Advisors at the symposium to make sure you’re at the leading edge of what’s coming next.
The Horticentre Trust is proud to sponsor the Young Horticulturalist of the Year 2026, to be held in Ellerslie, Auckland later this year.
The Young Horticulturist of the Year is an annual awards competition that brings together 6 sectors of horticulture: viticulture, plant production, arboriculture, fruit & vegetable growers, florists & flower growers and amenity horticulture. Winners from sector competitions meet and will compete in a two-day event held in Auckland.
Event Info: