Disbelief turns to excitement for nursery sector winner

A sales co-ordinator for a large, busy wholesale plant nursery in North Canterbury has been named 2024 Young Horticulturist of the Year, with second place going to botanic garden curator and third to an arborist.

Anna England.

Anna England, from Elliott’s Wholesale Nursery in Amberley, says her initial reaction of disbelief quickly turned to great excitement when she won the coveted title in front of her partner, parents and employers.

The competition is renowned for its rigor and finalists are judged on several challenges including practical skills, industry expertise, leadership ability, business knowledge and communication.

Representing the Young Plant Producer category, England has a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Information Systems, a Diploma in Horticulture and is only seven months off completing her part time studies toward a diploma in Primary Industry Business Management.

Judges were impressed with how she applies her knowledge in business and IT, as well as horticulture, to a diverse role.

The five industry categories represented in the 2024 award were arboriculture, amenity, viticulture, fruit and vegetable and plant production.

Runner-up Kyla Mathewson of Dunedin is curator of the geographic collection at Dunedin Botanic Gardens, and represented the amenity sector.

Third place getter Craig Scott of Motueka is a contract arborist.

The competition’s 2024 prize pool equates to more than $56,500 in cash, professional development and leadership scholarships and products.

England’s first prize includes $7500 cash, plus a $7500 professional development package, including travel and accommodation.

Mathewson’s second prize is $5000 cash, plus the same amount for professional development including travel and accommodation.

And Scott takes home $2500 in cash and the same amount for professional development.

Nelson orchardist Meryn Whitehead won the competition last year. The 2022 winner was Regan Judd, also an orchardist, while viticulturists took the top prize in the three preceding years.

Young Horticulturist chair Shaun Trevan says all the 2024 finalists - including young grower Taylor Leabourn from SKU Product in Pukekohe, and young viticulturist Tai Nelson from Soljans’ Estate Winery in Kumeu - represent the best in young horticultural talent in New Zealand.

“They are highly competent and forward-thinking young people seeding the country’s horticultural future.”

The Young Horticulturalist of the Year competition is important for horticulture in New Zealand and couldn’t occur without the support of official partners, supporters, and friends of the competition, he adds.

Official sponsors are Woolworths, Fruitfed Supplies and T & G Fresh with Bayer, Craigmore Sustainables and Horticentre Charitable Trust as silver sponsors.

Anna England, Taylor Leabourn, Craig Scott, Tai Nelson, Kyla Mathewson.