Mr Lewis won the Agri Business Challenge, an area where Mr Fitz-Herbert is not as strong. The two were neck and neck right up to the end.
The evening session, a quiz with buzzers for the first person to think of an answer, was especially tense.
"It would have been exciting if I wasn't in it," Mr Fitz-Herbert said.
He had worked hard to prepare for the contest, and went to another regional final to get ideas. The competition was filmed, for showing on TVNZ Heartland.
"It always makes it difficult when they shove a camera in your face while you're trying to concentrate," he said.
He went home with a second prize of $2900 worth of products. They included a chainsaw, a water pump and cellphone gear, all of which would come in handy.
At 28, he would normally be too old to compete again. But he enjoys the challenge and the age limit has been extended, so he's likely to have another shot.
"I guess I have to try again, as much as I would like to say I've done it enough and it's time to stop," he said.
