Young Te Puke fruit grower in national finals

Erin Atkinson is representing the Bay in a horticulture competition. Photo supplied

Erin Atkinson will represent the Bay of Plenty at the national Young Grower of the Year competition in Christchurch next week.

The 30-year-old technical advisor for Apata Group Ltd in Te Puke triumphed over five other young fruit growers to take home the Bay of Plenty title back in February.

On August 16 and 17, at the Sudima Airport Hotel in Christchurch, she will test her horticultural skills and knowledge against the other finalists to compete for the 2017 national title.

The competition is run by industry representative Horticulture New Zealand and sponsored by the Horticentre Trust and is now in its 11th year.

In the national competition, one vegetable grower will be pitted against four fruit growers to vie for the Young Grower of the Year title.

One of the four fruit growers will also be named Young Fruit Grower of the Year.

The competition will involve a series of practical and theoretical challenges designed to test the skills needed to run a successful export-focused horticultural business.

All finalists will also take part in a leadership panel discussion, before delivering a speech in front of the judges at a dinner event, where the winner is announced.

Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Mike Chapman said the aim of the competition was to foster excellence amongst young growers and future-proof what is a $5.6 billion industry that exports 60 per cent of total production to about 124 countries.

"The competition is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our exceptional young growers while also supporting them in their futures. Erin is a great example of the young people who are passionate about the industry's future and their role in it. She has such a promising career ahead of her."

Erin's competition

- Young Vegetable Grower 2017 - Scott Wilcox, Pukekohe
- Hawke's Bay Young Fruit Grower 2016 and 2017 - Jordan James, Whakatu
- Central Otago Young Fruit Grower 2017 - Ben Geaney, Waimate
- Nelson Young Fruit Grower 2017 - Ralph Bastian, Appleby