Nominations open for the 2026 Horticulture Industry Awards

Horticulture New Zealand board chairwoman Bernadine Guilleux.

New Zealand growers and those across the wider horticulture sector are encouraged to recognise the people driving the industry forward, with nominations now open for the 2026 Horticulture Industry Awards.

The awards span six categories and celebrate excellence, leadership, service and innovation across the breadth of the sector.

Horticulture New Zealand board chairwoman Bernadine Guilleux said the awards were an opportunity to shine a light on the individuals and teams whose efforts often go unrecognised.

“These awards are about celebrating the people who make a real difference – those who lead, innovate, support others and consistently go the extra mile,” she said.

“Our industry plays a vital role in producing healthy food for New Zealanders and the world.

“Behind that success are people who are committed to what they do.”

Guilleux said nominating someone was a simple but powerful way to acknowledge that contribution and share their story with the wider sector and New Zealand.

Nominations are open to active grower members of Horticulture NZ, affiliated product groups, or affiliated associations, and close on Monday, June 15.

The awards will be presented at the Industry Awards dinner, part of the New Zealand Horticulture Conference, on July 29, at Tākina, Wellington.

Nominations are invited for six award categories:

The Bledisloe Cup: for outstanding and meritorious contribution to the New Zealand horticulture industry.

The President’s Trophy: recognising persons showing promise in the horticulture industry business and/or leadership, no matter their experience.

The Industry Service Award: for people, other than a grower, with long and dedicated service in a supplier or service role, who have worked beyond the call of duty for the betterment of the horticulture industry.

The Sustainable Innovation Award: for a person or team who is developing, or has developed, technologies, an innovation or undertaken research that increases productivity, profitability or environmental sustainability in the sector.

The Manaaki Award: for a person, group or organisation that has risen beyond the call of duty to support employers and workers. It recognises the positive impact an act of service has had on employers, workers, the community and the whole Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.

The HortNZ Life Member Award: for growers with long and dedicated service as office holders of HortNZ and/or an affiliated product group or grower association.

Horticulture Industry Awards winners for 2025

• The Bledisloe Cup: Andrew Fenton – Te Puke-based kiwifruit and avocado grower who has been involved in the industry for 50 years.
• The President’s Trophy: Daniel Kenna – KW Kiwi orchard manager and sustainability lead (Katikati).
• The Sustainable Innovation Award: Gordon Skipage and Pranoy Pal of Trevelyan Pack and Cool Ltd in Te Puke.
• The Manaaki Award: T&G Global, Hastings Health Centre, and OrbitProtect/nib NZ.
• HortNZ Life Member Award: Stewart Burns, managing director of the Camelot Fresh Fruit Company in Hastings and a member of the Summerfruit NZ board of directors since 2014.