WANGANUI'S top gardening accolade has been awarded to Mark Christensen, who has made it his mission to plant free apple trees across the region.
Mr Christensen is one of 15 regional champions unearthed by NZ Gardener magazine's inaugural search for New Zealand's 2007 Gardener of the Year, winning the Wanganui-Manawatu award.
The
competition is now open to a public vote, with the national supreme winner taking home a $10,000 prize package, including $5000 to spend at Bunnings Warehouse.
Mr Christensen is an accountant by day, but spends his weekends caring for an orchard of heritage fruit trees. He has spearheaded a campaign to plant 5000 free Monty's Surprise apple trees in Wanganui backyards.
NZ Gardener editor and chief judge Lynda Hallinan said he was exactly the sort of unsung horticultural hero the magazine wanted to celebrate.
"I'm thrilled that we can recognise Mark's contribution to the gardening community by awarding him the title of Manawatu/Wanganui Gardener of the Year for 2007," she said.
"Not only is Mark actively involved in planting trees, he is also investigating the health benefits of Monty's Surprise apples as part of an ongoing research project."
"We launched this competition to celebrate those unsung horticultural heroes who always dig in deep to share their love of gardening, but who would never dream of putting themselves forward for public accolades.
"That's why we asked local communities to make the nominations for us - we wanted to reward and recognise gardeners at the grassroots."
Mr Christensen receives a $1000 prize package and a fitting gardener's trophy - a new stainless steel spade. Wanganui residents can also rally behind Mark by voting for him.
The supreme winner will scoop a $10,000 prize package including a luxury trip for two to the Ellerslie Flower Show in Auckland, $5000 to spend at Bunnings Warehouse, $1000 worth of Kiwigold plants, $500 worth of Tui garden products and an assortment of other garden gadgets, books and tools.
You can vote for him online at www.nzgardener.co.nz. Voting closes at 5pm on October 31.
