Nuturing the next generation

If New Zealand’s horticulture sector is to thrive into the future, we must invest in one of our most valuable resources: people, and in particular, young people.

We need passionate leaders to guide our industry through rapid change, identify and seize new opportunities and respond to the complex challenges, now and in the future.

That’s why Horticulture New Zealand is focused on nurturing the next generation of horticultural leaders. From practical scholarships and industry recognition to leadership development, we are committed to helping young people grow -- not just crops, but careers.

One of our initiatives is the HortNZ Leadership programme, designed for both emerging and current leaders across the industry.

Hundreds of people have graduated from this programme, with participants going on to play significant roles across the sector.

Their backgrounds are as diverse as the industry itself -- from rural banking to agronomy, butchery to biosecurity, marketing to geology.

Some are self-employed growers, others work in logistics, export management, science, or HR.

But what unites them is leadership potential and a strong commitment to our sector’s future. They have demonstrated leadership or leadership potential and a willingness to assume responsibility for grower or industry matters.

Beyond leadership training, we also celebrate and showcase excellence through initiatives like the Young Grower of the Year competition. This initiative doesn’t just reward skill and innovation.

It builds networks, boosts confidence and highlights the enormous potential of young people in our industry.

Time and again, we hear from past winners and finalists that these experiences have been turning points in their careers -- opening doors, building pride, and inspiring further ambition. That’s exactly the kind of momentum we want to create.

Another important initiative is our annual scholarship programme. We’re backing students pursuing degrees in fields as varied as engineering, science, policy, and environmental management, not to mention those in on-the-job training towards becoming trade certified horticulturists.

These scholarships reflect our belief that the future of horticulture will require talent across a wide range of disciplines.

We also offer the Associate Director initiative which provides a development opportunity for a future leader to join our board and gain experience in governance, leadership and strategy. It’s a great opportunity that prepares our future leaders for governance roles in our sector.

The Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan (AHAP), a partnership between industry, government, Māori and science has set an ambitious goal: to double horticulture’s farmgate value by 2035.

That kind of growth won’t happen by accident -- it will take leadership and smart, motivated people ready to rise to the challenge.

Our job is to find and support them. Their job? To help us shape the future of horticulture in New Zealand.

Young people are the future of growing and, from what I’ve seen so far, the future is in good hands.