Opportunities for horticulture in Canterbury

Three months into his role as Horticulture New Zealand’s regional representative for Canterbury, David Hickman sees great opportunities for the sector in the region.

Hickman, who took on the newly created position in May, grew up on a Marlborough sheep and beef farm but his interest lay in growing, which led him to Lincoln University where he gained a Bachelor of Commerce in Horticulture before going to work in horticulture-related fields.

“There are huge opportunities for horticulture in Canterbury,” he says. “Currently, commercial growing here is vegetable dominated but we are starting to see more fruit production, including a big apple development near Rakaia.

“Canterbury has natural advantages in its soils, climate, water, topography and location that make it outstanding for horticultural production. Large farming businesses can unlock significant value by diversifying into horticultural ventures.”

HortNZ has rolled out a new regional representative network aimed at giving growers a strong voice and a more direct link to advocacy and practical support. 

The goal is to create a grower-focused regional connection that assists growers in navigating the different challenges they face around the country so that horticulture may thrive and grow.

Regional representatives are also closely involved with supporting the Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan (AHAP). 

Developed collectively with input from industry, government, Māori and science partners, the AHAP provides a guiding compass to achieve the goal of doubling the farmgate value of horticultural production by 2035 in a way that improves prosperity for the sector while protecting the environment.

Hickman says when the regional representative role was advertised, he saw it as an opportunity to give back as well as something he would really enjoy doing.

The role is 20 hours per week, with Hickman aiming to spend at least one day a week on the road visiting growers. His area covers from the Waitaki River to the Conway River, and everything in between.  

After graduating from Lincoln, Hickman joined Ravensdown and then worked in marketing for Zespri before doing “a big OE” finishing up in Australia where he worked for Amcor managing international markets for LifeSpan, modified atmosphere packaging for horticulture exporters.

“I love horticulture and really enjoy advocating for the sector. It’s a great way to give back to an industry that’s given me so much. It’s a role that ticks all the boxes for me and being part-time it is a good balance with my own business.”

“I’m here to advocate at all levels for growers to help grow horticulture in Canterbury. That includes working with growers to solve problems they need assistance with or that are bigger than their organisation can deal with. I’m also facilitating grower and regional events.”

While it’s still early days for the regional representative network, he says growers are seeing the value of the service and are making use of it.

“Growers are getting in touch to understand how HortNZ can help them, from providing information on industry-related issues to helping co-ordinate events like the regional Young Grower competition.

“2025 was the first time in a decade that Canterbury held a regional competition and the national final was also held here.

“This year the growth for the regional final was huge and we are looking to capitalise on that and make Young Grower a real highlight of the Canterbury horticultural calendar.

“One of my primary responsibilities is to facilitate better flow of information from ground level to Wellington and that flows both ways.

“The best part of the job for me is always meeting with growers, getting out on farm or orchard, seeing the passion, pride and personalities behind each horticultural business.

“Decision-makers such as officials and Ministers need good information from growers to really understand the issues and the realities of growing food. Equally, growers need a good flow of information from central and local government for manging their business as efficiently as possible.

“I also see a great opportunity for the education sector to better connect with horticulture as a primary industry. There are a lot of career opportunities in horticulture, and it would be great to engage more young people with that.”