23 June 2026, NZ: William Kenna has won the Bay of Plenty 2026 Young Grower regional title.
Willliam is orchard and innovation lead at KWKiwi, at his family’s kiwifruit business based near Katikati. He pitched his skills against seven fellow contestants to take the title on 19 June.
He will now go on to compete against six other regional winners in the national Young Grower of the Year competition in Cromwell on August 27-28.
William, aged 29, gained a degree in marketing and logistics and worked in the wider fruit and vegetable market in Wellington before returning to the family business in 2020.
KWKiwi grows kiwifruit and also partners with leading horticulture technologies to develop tools, including non-destructive fruit growth and quality measurements/ forecasting, smarter water use and climate insights, to benefit kiwi growers and the wider horticulture sector.
“I grew up learning about the business and really enjoy the opportunities for innovation and growing a great product which is healthy and enjoyed by consumers around the world,” he says.
“The role is different every day. We grow kiwifruit but also push the boundaries of innovation and technology, developed in-house, to help move the industry as a whole forward.
“Depending on which hat I’m wearing, I’ll be working on data and innovation or spending time out in the orchard working with the vines.”
William sees the regional and national Young Grower competitions as playing a vital role in the sector’s drive to raise awareness of careers in the sector.
“The competition is absolutely important to encourage people to upskill and learn different skills. It showcases different aspects of what horticulture involves and highlights what the career possibilities are.
“The competition was a lot of fun. I went out to enjoy it and didn’t think I would win. It was so good to meet all the other competitors and learn some new skills.
“I’d encourage young people looking for an interesting career to give horticulture a go. A computer cannot grow produce. There will always be a need for fresh food, so in horticulture you will always have a job moving forward and, whatever path you take in the industry, you will know you are playing your part in producing healthy food for people.”
Runner up in the competition was Aimee Barker‑Gilbert, who is external operations manager at Hume Pack‑N‑Cool in Katitkati. Third place went to Patterson Kelly, an orchard manager with Trevelyan’s Pack and Cool in Te Puke.
The competition celebrates the success of young people in the industry as well as encouraging others to consider a career in horticulture.
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 chief executive Kate Scott said the competitions are a highlight of the year for growers and do much to raise awareness of the high level of skill of young people in the industry and the many career opportunities it offers.
“The regional organisers put in a huge amount of their time, expertise and energy into making the Young Grower regional competitions happen. The competition simply couldn’t run without them.
“They do it to recognise and celebrate the very high calibre of young people we have working in the industry and to demonstrate to others the many pathways horticulture offers into a wide range of interesting and rewarding careers.”
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