Mike Chapman wins Bledisloe Cup for horticulture

HortNZ President, Barry O'Neil (left), Bledisloe Cup winner Mike Chapman and Minister of Agriculture Damien O'Connor. Photo / Supplied

Mike Chapman, until recently chief executive of Horticulture New Zealand, has won the Bledisloe Cup for significant services to horticulture for more than 20 years.

Chapman's advocacy for the horticultural industry had been untiring, forceful, and balanced, HortNZ President, Barry O'Neil said.

"Mike always acts with the aim of achieving the best outcomes for growers and orchardists, and indeed, the New Zealand economy and health of its people through access to nutritious, locally grown food.

"Mike has firmly stood for growers on key issues such as protecting elite soils, ensuring growers maintain their social license to grow and, hand in hand with that, ensuring growers remain economically viable in a fast-changing environment," O'Neil said.

Chapman's career in the horticulture industry spanned more than 20 years, during which he was a leader, advocate, lobbyist and enthusiast for the industry.

Swapping his legal-focused work for kiwifruit, Chapman took up the role of Kiwifruit New Zealand chief executive in 2002. In 2005, he became New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated chief executive.

Ten years later in 2015, Chapman picked up the reigns as Horticulture New Zealand chief executive, a position he held until June this year.

After stepping down, Chapman continued to work on the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.

He was instrumental in the Government's decision in early August to permit RSE workers from Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu, to enter New Zealand without the need for managed isolation.

Mike Chapman won the Bledisloe Cup for significant services to horticulture for more than 20 years. Photo / Supplied

The Bledisloe Cup for horticulture was first presented in 1931 by the then Governor-General Lord Bledisloe, for a competition between orchardists for the best exhibit of New Zealand apples at the Imperial Fruit Show.

It is one of several cups Lord Bledisloe presented to New Zealand and is similar to rugby's Bledisloe Cup, which was also donated in 1931.