31 August 2026, NZ: James Blair has won the coveted 2026 Young Grower national title.
James, who is an agronomist for AS Wilcox, is also the Pukekohe regional champion.
The 29 year-old competed against six other regional winners in a series of challenges on 27/28 August, with the practical day events hosted at 45 South Cherries in Cromwell.
Runner up was Amber Davy, the Canterbury regional champion. Amber, a quality and field manager for seed potato supplier Eurogrow, also won the Innovation Award.
Third place went to Nelson regional champion Amelia Marsden. Amelia, a nursery manager at Thomas Brothers Orchard in Riwaka, also won the Leadership Award.
The seven finalists competed in a series of practical and theoretical horticulture modules, testing their vegetable and fruit-growing knowledge and skills needed to be successful growers.
James grew up on a dairy farm in the UK before gaining a degree in agricultural crop science.
After working for two years as an agronomist in the UK, he worked in Australia before heading for New Zealand where he joined AS Wilcox, as a technical crop supervisor for potatoes, and discovered a passion for horticulture.
He is now technical support for four regions, covering from Pukunui in the Far North to Ohakune, as well overseeing the seed programme for the South Island.
“The Young Grower final was incredible,” he says. “It was very tough competition, the calibre of the other contestants was unbelievable, but it was a lot of fun.
“Thank you to all the organisers and sponsors, you can see the huge amount that goes into organising the regional and national events.
“Initially, I wasn’t sure when it was suggested I enter the regional competition because it’s putting yourself out there and it seemed a bit daunting but I’m very glad I did. I’d say to other young growers, ‘just back yourself and have a crack at it’.
“It’s been great to meet many like-minded young people from across the industry, talk to people working with different crops and make some good friends.”
The Young Grower competition celebrates the success of young people in the industry as well as encouraging others to consider a career in horticulture.
Winners were announced at the annual awards gala dinner held at the Te Puna Mahara – Cromwell Memorial Events Centre on Friday 28 August.
Regional organisers host and run the regional competitions independently, with Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) hosting the final in a different part of the country each year.
Entry is open to both commercial fruit and vegetable growers from across the regions, up to the age of 30,
HortNZ chair Bernadine Guilleux said the regional and national competitions play an important role in raising awareness about the many career and personal development opportunities across the horticulture sector.
“Once again, across all growing regions, we have seen dedicated organisers working so hard and highly skilled young growers undertaking a lot of preparation and giving their all to make the competitions such fantastic events and highlight the opportunities offered by careers in the sector.”
HortNZ chief executive Kate Scott said all the Young Grower events had provided excellent examples of the range of different roles in the sector, the opportunities for career progression and the support provided to enable young people to gain skills and qualifications and step up into leadership roles.
“It was a fantastic final. Thank you to all the sponsors, organisers and competitors. The event really summed up for me that we have exceptional talent among our young industry members.
“We are focused as a sector on implementing the Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan (AHAP) and doubling the farmgate value of horticulture in New Zealand.
“This is a sector offering many opportunities and both on and off the job training to gain skills and qualifications that will be highly valued by employers countrywide.
“We are always very happy to hear from young people who would like to know more about the range of options the industry offers.”
Fellow 2026 finalists were:
Bay of Plenty
William Kenna, orchard and innovation lead at KWKIWI.
Central Otago
Luke St John, a trainee orchard manager for Fortune Fruit in Cromwell.
Gisborne
James Torrie, a crop manager with Wi Pere Trust.
Hawke’s Bay
Maddi Sheridan a quality and compliance Manager – Growing at T&G Global.
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