Horticulture is growing together with ambitious goals such as doubling the farmgate value of production in a way that improves prosperity for our people and protects our environment.
The HortNZ Leadership Programme will help prepare you or your employee to successfully capture the opportunities and address the challenges that this growth offers.
Participant profile
The programme is designed for potential and current leaders in the fruit and vegetable industry. Participants will primarily, but not exclusively, be growers or their employees or from organisations closely associated with growing.
The programme is aimed at all age groups and is open to New Zealand citizens or permanent residents who have demonstrated leadership or leadership potential and a willingness to assume responsibility in grower or industry matters.
Application process
All applicants will need to fill out an online application form. You can apply as soon as you’re ready.
If you’re not quite ready, no problem, you can register your interest in the meantime. This will help us keep you up to date on programme details.
When you are ready to apply, your application will need to include a photo (a headshot) and the contact details of two HortNZ levy payers (commercial fruit and vegetable growers) to support your application.
The programme is limited to 16 participants.
If you have any questions about the application process or the programme, contact Dr Lyndsey Dance, Programmes Manager at lyndseydance@ruralleaders.co.nz.
Programme cost
HortNZ is offering 12 scholarships, open to levy paying organisations and their employees. These scholarships cover all programme fees and accommodation costs.
There will also be up to four positions available for a programme fee of $5,000 +GST plus accommodation.
All successful applicants will be called on to meet the travel costs for one trip to and from Auckland, and one trip to and from Wellington, and are responsible for all their own travel arrangements to attend the two in-person phases.
Accommodation will be booked for all participants to secure special rates. It is expected that all participants live and work together during the in-person phases of the programme.
Non-scholarship participants will be invoiced for accommodation with the programme fee payable before each phase. Accommodation is booked at a medium-level hotel at a special rate and can be single or twin shared.
The room rate is approximately $175 per night.
The course fee for non-scholarship participants must be paid prior to programme commencement. An invoice is issued upon acceptance on the programme. In special circumstances an alternative payment schedule may be agreed to.
A cancellation fee may apply once a place is accepted on the programme.
Programme dates
The programme is delivered in two phases over nine weeks starting 10 August and finishing 23 October 2026:
- Phase one: 10-14 August, Auckland
- Phase two: 21-23 October, Wellington
- Personal leadership plan: six weeks over the programme
At the end of the programme participants will have:
- Increased confidence to take the lead an influence into the future
- A greater understanding of leadership
- Ready to use leadership skills, such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking and problem solving
- A wider perspective and understanding of how to address industry issues - now and into the future
- Gained an awareness of strategy, and how to use it
- Self-knowledge and your own personal plan to go forward
- Had the opportunity to network and develop relationships with other like-minded emerging and current influential leaders.
Applications for the 2026 programme are now open and close at midnight Sunday, 28 June.