Students Inspired By Future Horticulture Leaders

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the Bay of Plenty Young Grower competition, a premier event that celebrates the skills, knowledge, and innovation of the region’s future horticulture leaders. This year, the event will be bigger than ever, as it joins forces with Cultivate Your Career, a horticulture careers expo designed to showcase opportunities to students.

For the first time, students attending the Cultivate Your Career event will be able to witness the region’s top young horticulturalists in action as they compete for the prestigious title of Bay of Plenty Young Grower 2025. Both events are managed by New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc. (NZKGI) and is the largest of its kind from amongst New Zealand’s regions.

“Combining the competition and the careers expo has been an exciting step forward,” says Event Coordinator Sam Vicente-Moa. “It gives students a perfect opportunity to see our industry in action and be inspired by the talent and passion on display.”

The competition, featuring participants from across horticultural sectors such as kiwifruit and avocados, will take place on Friday, 27 June at Mercury Baypark. Contestants will face a range of theoretical and practical challenges that test their knowledge, problem-solving skills, and industry expertise.

In the evening, the event continues with a gala dinner, where contestants will participate in a speech competition. The dinner is a key opportunity for networking with industry leaders and learning about the latest innovations and practices shaping the future of horticulture.

The winner of the Bay of Plenty competition will go on to represent the region at the national Young Grower of the Year final later in the year.

“I’m really excited about the synergies between the competition and the careers expo,” says Colin Bond, CEO of NZKGI. “I’m sure students will be inspired by the dedication and skill of the competitors — and we hope to see some of them return in future years as competitors themselves.”

Entry to the daytime competition is free for schools and the general public. Tickets to the gala dinner are available at www.bopyounggrower.co.nz.

2025’s young growers come from an array of backgrounds:

Aimee Barker-Gilbert
With 10 years of experience in the kiwifruit industry, I am currently the Technical & Communications Manager at Hume Pack-N-Cool Ltd in Katikati. Entering the competition is a way for me to be vulnerable, stepping outside my comfort zone to challenge my knowledge and skills. It’s also a way to show gratitude to those who have supported me throughout my career. I’m a proud mother of two beautiful children, and I want to show them that anything is possible when you put your mind to it.

Alex Reid
I’m the Project and Business Improvement Coordinator at Trevelyan’s, where I lead and support company-wide improvement projects and help embed continuous improvement practices across the business. I hold a Bachelor of AgriCommerce, majoring in International AgriBusiness, from Massey University. Originally a townie, I spent part of my childhood living in Asia before moving to rural New Zealand. I now call Pukehina home, where I live on a kiwifruit orchard with my husband. I’ve entered the Young Grower competition to challenge my practical growing skills, test my orchard knowledge, and step outside my comfort zone. My proudest achievement is marrying my incredible husband in 2023. Outside of work, I love exploring New Zealand’s outdoors and spending quality time with family and friends.

Bryn Gault
I grew up on a dry stock farm and kiwifruit orchard in Opotiki, and always knew I wanted to follow in my family’s footsteps as a third-generation kiwifruit grower. After finishing high school, I entered the industry full-time and developed a real passion for growing. I worked my way up to become an orchard manager with Prospa, before starting my own orchard management business a year ago. I’ve entered the Young Grower competition to challenge myself and grow further. Outside of work, I enjoy helping run the Opotiki Surf Lifesaving Club, where I train lifeguards and give back to my community.

Emma Frame
Originally from Scotland, I moved to New Zealand when I was four and have grown up on farms, living the rural lifestyle. One of my proudest achievements was playing against the Tongan Women’s National Football Team in Tonga at age 15, representing a Coerver coaching team. I’m currently an Orchard Manager and Health and Safety Coordinator at Prospa, and also support with pollen and harvest coordination during the season. I’ve entered the competition to push myself out of my comfort zone and prove I can do anything I put my mind to. I hope to grow in confidence and build connections. In my spare time, I enjoy football, golf, walking my dog, reading, and heading to the beach.

Grace Lowery
I’m a Horticulture Specialist at Ballance Agri-Nutrients, working with growers across the Bay of Plenty to provide technical knowledge and advice on nutrient management. I entered this competition to challenge myself and expand my network within the horticultural industry. I’m passionate about learning and growing, and I’m always looking for new ways to support growers in reaching their goals. One of my proudest accomplishments was earning a first-class grade in my honours degree during the COVID-19 pandemic. My love for horticulture started young while spending time on my grandparents’ kiwifruit orchard in Te Puke.

Jake Jansen
I was born and raised in Opotiki, where I grew up on dairy farms before making the switch to horticulture. I’m currently a trainee orchard manager with Seeka and have entered the Young Grower competition to expand my knowledge, meet new people, and develop my networking skills. I’m excited to learn from others in the industry and become more effective in my current role. This is a great opportunity to challenge myself and keep growing professionally. When I’m not working, I enjoy mountain biking and getting outdoors.

Levi Belcher
I’m a Kiwifruit Orchard Manager based in the Waikato, managing a mix of organic and conventional blocks with a passion for regenerative and sustainable growing. What drives me is seeing improvements in plant and soil health, increases in production, and watching my staff grow in their knowledge and pride for their work. I’ve grown up all over New Zealand and now live in the Waikato with my wife and two young daughters. I’ve entered this competition to challenge myself, build new connections, and upskill further. My proudest achievement is marrying the love of my life and starting a family. Outside of work, I enjoy hunting, spearfishing, rugby, reading, and making knives. I also volunteer at youth camps, which is something I find incredibly rewarding.

Phoebe Scherer
I’ve been with Apata for just over a year as the Technical Lab Manager, overseeing technical processes and lab testing that support our growers to produce better fruit. I grew up in Tauranga, studied biology and evolution at Auckland University, and after some time overseas, returned home to the Bay where I landed a job counting kiwifruit, and never looked back. I’ve entered the Young Grower competition to step out of my comfort zone, grow my skills, and meet others in the industry. Outside of work, I love being in nature, cuddling my cats, or heading off on overseas adventures.

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