T&G Global’s supply and continuous improvement technician, Jan Buter, was awarded Hawke’s Bay’s Young Fruit Grower award at a gala dinner in Hastings last Friday.
The yearly competition is a long tradition in Hawke’s Bay’s fruit-growing industry, taking the best and brightest of the region’s talent and putting them through their paces in a series of challenges.
Competitors are selected from the sector’s most promising young talent, allowing them to grow professionally and technically challenge themselves through the two-day competition.
Buter said he was delighted to take home the prestigious award in a memorable and challenging year.
“I knew I would be competitive in the competition, but everyone was diligent in their preparation, and I had my work cut out for me.”
Buter continued that he won some stations that he didn’t expect.
“I don’t work with irrigation a lot. And I was really happy to win the Kaimahi Award, which is more character and leadership. I am conscious of that personally, and it was nice to be recognised for that.”
He said that overall, he was stoked for the win and relieved to meet his workmates' expectations.
The Hawke’s Bay event is one of six regional Young Grower competitions held every year to select the top young fruit and vegetable grower in New Zealand, with the winner from Pukekohe, Gisborne, Bay of Plenty, Nelson, Hawke’s Bay and Central Otago going on to compete for the grand title at the National Young Grower of the Year final in October.
The winner of the National Young Grower of the Year then has the opportunity to compete at the Young Horticulturist of the Year, run by the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture Education Trust.
Jan competed over two days to take home the coveted prize, with seven other competitors at his heels. The contestants were all challenged to complete various skills tests from irrigation to bud identification and the all-important speech given on the evening of the awards gala.
Brydon Nisbet, President of the Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers’ Association, said it was great to see the enthusiasm of your growers on display after such a challenging six months. Despite the travails of flood recovery, young people were still doing the industry proud.
“Jan exemplifies the calibre of the talent that New Zealand produces in fruit growing in 2023. The energy, attitude and technical competency were all on full display. With young people like this coming up, the country is in good hands for the future,” said Nisbit.
This was the 18th year the Association had held the event. Nisbet said it was grateful for the continued support from sponsors and industry to support the next generation of leaders in horticulture, and more than even given the exceptionally challenging period the region is going through.
