Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 


Young vegetable grower takes national title

Wednesday, 27 July 2011, 12:20 pm
Press Release: Horticulture NZ

27 July 2011

Young vegetable grower takes national title

Ben Smith from Pukekohe was named Young Grower of the Year last night at the Horticulture New Zealand Conference 2011.

The Young Grower of the Year competition was a day-long event held at Rotorua’s Energy Events Centre as part of this year’s Horticulture New Zealand Conference. It tested four regional finalists on a range of essential horticulture business and practical skills, including driving a tractor, employment relations and public speaking to more than 400 delegates last night.

Horticulture New Zealand President, Andrew Fenton said Ben was a very strong competitor.

“We could see that Ben gave 100% in every challenge, he showed agility, confidence and had a real business and technical sense of the horticulture industry."

Ben, (29), was excited by the win, saying it was a privilege to receive the award, especially given the calibre of his competitors.

Ben also thanked the organisers of the Young Grower competition. “Without their help, I wouldn’t have got this far, I’m thrilled to be taking the national title back to Pukekohe” he said.

Ben works for Status Produce in Pukekohe. He earned his place at the competition after taking out the Young Vegetable Grower title earlier this year, he now wins $4,000 and a trip to Australia to visit other tomato crop growers.

Ben beat three fruit growers to win the national title of Young Grower of the Year.

Kevin Withington from Nelson won Best Speech and the Young Fruit Grower of the Year title, Campbell Wood from the Bay of Plenty won Best Practical. Ben also took the award for the Ballance Leadership Panel as well as the title of Young Vegetable Grower of the Year.

This will be the third year that the Young Grower of the Year competition has been held. Run by Horticulture New Zealand, the competition is supported by Platinum Sponsor ZESPRI International and others who recognise and celebrate young leaders in the horticulture industry, who have both excellent technical skills and leadership capabilities.

Platinum sponsors ZESPRI International CEO Iain Jager says “We are very pleased to be the Platinum Sponsor for the 2011 Young Grower of the Year. This competition is a wonderful way for young growers to take their horticultural careers to the next level by receiving mentoring from industry experts. Well done Ben.”

ENDS

 
 
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

NEW ZEALAND POLITICS > >


 

Waikato-Tainui Celebrates End of Lock-Out

Tom Roa, Chair of Te Arataura, Waikato Tainui’s executive has welcomed news that the ten week lock-out of Horotiu workers is drawing to a dramatic close.
“We are all extremely pleased to see this day finally arrive,” said Tom Roa. More>>

Also:

Meridian dumps West Coast hydro plan

(Image: blog.greens.org.nz by Q)

May 22 (BusinessDesk) - Opposition to Meridian Energy's plans for a 100 Megawatt hydro-electric scheme on the undammed Mokihinui River on the South Island's West Coast has forced its abandonment, the state-owned power company has announced. More >>

Fisheries: Slave Labour And Foreign Vessels
The Government has announced it is to require reflagging of foreign-owned fishing vessels operating in New Zealand waters to address labour, safety and fisheries practice concerns. More >>

Also


Budget 2012: Crime And Punishment
Budget 2012 will contribute to a 25 per cent reduction in reoffending by 2017, and 18,500 fewer victims of crime every year from 2017, Corrections Minister Anne Tolley and Associate Corrections Minister Dr Pita Sharples say. More >>

Also:


Elections: Time Running Out to Take Part in Electoral Commission’s MMP Review

Time is running out to have your say on improvements you’d like to see made to our MMP voting system. With only two weeks to go until the first consultation period of the MMP Review closes, the Electoral Commission has received more than 3700 submissions ... More >>


Christchurch: More Green Zoning And More Red Zoning

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced the final decision in almost 11 months of flat land residential zoning in Canterbury…

“It brings the number of residential properties zoned red because they are unsuitable for residential occupation to 7256.” More >>

Gerry Brownlee also announced the green zoning of 421 residential properties in the Port Hills, leaving 1679 houses still under review. More>>

ALSO:


Budget 2012: Squeezing Every Drop Out Of A Zero Budget
The Government is trying to squeeze every drop of publicity out of its ``Zero Budget’’ ahead of its delivery next Thursday.More >>

Gordon Campbell On the Politics of Austerity: Later this month, New Zealand will be subjected to its second austerity Budget in a row. Zero budgeting is being presented as the only path of virtue. This is despite the fact that - elsewhere in the real world - it has been a very bad week indeed for the politics of austerity.More >>
Also

  • Business.Desk - Smokes, booze and property tax breaks prime targets for Budget
  • Labour - User Pays Plan Confirms Failure
  • Labour - Cuts to classes result of government failure
  • ACT - Performance Based Pay for Teachers Long Overdue

  • Budget 2012: Recovery of Canterbury on Track
  • Budget 2012 - Prescription Charges Help Fund Health
  • Budget 2012: Education – Larger Classes For More Money
  • Budget 2012: $144m more for disability support

    • Housing: Social Housing Money Handed Out
    People in need will get the most benefit from Government funding for new housing projects, to be developed by non-government providers. Housing Minister Phil Heatley has announced the successful applicants to the $25.3 million Social Housing Unit ... More >>

    ALSO:

    Parliament Today: Urgency To Follow Budget
    The House will go into Urgency on Thursday following the delivery of Budget 2012 at 2pm. The Government informed the Business Committee of the decision at a meeting yesterday.More...

    Also:


    Budget 2012: Prescription Charges Help Fund Health
    Health Minister Tony Ryall has announced the Government will increase the $3 prescription charge to $5 per item up to a maximum of 20 items from 1 January 2013. The savings will be reinvested in the health sector. More >>
    Also:

    Court of Appeal: Govt Should Pay Family Caregivers
    The victory in the Court of Appeal for families caring for disabled family members should be taken notice of by the Government says Green MP Catherine DelahuntyMore >>

    ALSO:

    LATEST HEADLINES

    More RSS  RSS
     
    More RSS  RSS News AlertsNews Alerts
     
     
     
    Regional
    Search Scoop  
     
     
    powered by newsagent
    NZ independent news