The 2025 Young Horticulturist of the Year is Jake Linklater, Nova Natives nursery manager at Nova Trust.
The 2025 Young Horticulturist of the Year is Jake Linklater, Nova Natives nursery manager at Nova Trust.
Canterbury nursery manager Jake Linklater has taken out the Young Horticulturist of the Year title after excelling in a two-day contest showcasing New Zealand’s top young talent.
It’s the second consecutive year a Young Plant Producer of the Year has claimed the supreme trophy.
The competition, now in its 20thyear, is run by the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture Education Trust to foster early-career development.
Held at Auckland’s Karaka Pavilion, it tested finalists on practical skills, business acumen, leadership, innovation, and industry passion.
Judges praised the 29-year-old for his skill and broad perspective.
Linklater also won the Bayer Best Practice Award for topping practical challenges and the Horticentre Sustainability Award for applying sustainability principles professionally and personally.
A hebe enthusiast and father of two daughters, Ivy and Violet, Linklater manages Nova Natives at Nova Trust.
He was one of six finalists who earned their place by winning sector awards.
In his gala presentation, Linklater shared his passion for the nursery industry and what makes it unique.
“It’s a sector that takes everyday people and moulds them into innovators, creators and botanists,” he said.
“We don’t always get the praise because we aren’t a part of the end result, but we as plant producers are the very fabric of horticulture.
“Some plant producers, for example, spend a lifetime breeding the best possible cultivars for our industry that can be for flower garden, fruit size, yield, form, pest and disease resistance, and climate resilience.”
Linklater said plant producers played a vital role in driving the industry forward, “making us stronger and more resilient as horticulturists”.
Young Viticulturist, Nina Downer, came second in the 2025 Young Horticulturist of the Year, and third place went to Young Amenity, River Foster.
“Every large orchard, every restoration project, every green landscape starts with the plant producer.”
Trust chairman Shaun Trevan said the talent on display at this year’s competition gave the judges a tough job.
“The competition was incredibly close with judges commending the calibre of the finalists – such a highlight in our 20th year.”
More than $50,000 in prizes were awarded, with Linklater receiving $8000 as Supreme Winner plus $4750 for category wins, along with the glass trophy by Auckland sculptor Evenly Dunstan.
Second place went to Young Viticulturist Nina Downer ($5000), and Wellington Young Amenity winner River Foster was third ($2000).
For outstanding leadership during the competition ($5000 leadership/professional development scholarship) – Young Florist/Flower Grower, Jade Bedel
Bayer Best Practice Award:
Highest score in practical components with crop management and sustainability practices focus ($2500 professional development scholarship) – Young Plant Producer, Jake Linklater
Craigmore Best Presentation Award:
Highest score in presentation category ($1500) – Young Amenity winner River Foster
Horticentre Sustainability Award:
Highest score in interview section, with demonstrable understanding and application of sustainability in professional and personal life ($1500) – Young Plant Producer, Jake Linklater
