The Competition

The NZ Horticulture ITO and the RNZIH Education Trust are pleased to announce that the third year of national horticultural competition the “Young Horticulturist of the Year” is to be held in 2007.

Concept

The concept is to create a competition that will generate interest, inspiration and acknowledgement to young horticulturists employed in the wider horticulture industry. 

The following statements outline specifically what the competition will achieve:

• A one-day event for young horticulturists to enhance their horticultural ability and acknowledge their skill and knowledge while working in the horticulture industry;

• To be used to promote horticulture as a career for persons wishing to enter the horticulture industry;

• To lift the profile of the horticulture industry as an exciting and rewarding occupation;

• To create a challenging and rewarding competition so that contestants can achieve outcomes beyond their expectations.

Participants

It is anticipated that this year there will be eight participants that will be in the Grand Final are either nominated by the following recognised national horticulture industry associations:

• New Zealand Fruit Sector of Horticulture New Zealand

• Vegetable Sector of Horticulture New Zealand

• New Zealand Arboriculture Association

• Nursery and Garden Industry Association

• New Zealand Wine Growers

• Landscape Industry Association of New Zealand

• New Zealand Recreation Association

• Floristry New Zealand Incorporated

Conditions of entry

1. Participants must enter the competition via one of the horticultural sectors listed above. Entry forms are available through these organisations.

2. Participants must be 30 years of age or under at 31 December 2007, and currently working full time in the horticultural industry.

3. Participants must have worked in a practical hands on position for the last three years in the sector they are entering the competition.

4. Closing times for the competition will vary between sector but will be no later than the 31 July 2007.

5. The winner of each Horticultural sector competition will progress through to the Grand final of the NZ Horticulture ITO Young Horticulturist of the Year - 2007 Competition.

6. Participants must be available if selected to attend the Grand Final to be held at the Auckland.  Travel and accommodation in Auckland must be covered by the respective horticultural sector putting a finalist into the Grand Final event.

For entry forms and details check out the sector competition you wish to enter into.

The Grand Final

The Grand Final for the 2007 Competition will be at the Auckland Botanic Gardens on Friday 9 November 2007, it will consist of the following:

1. Practical Activities

Each finalist will answer a series of practical and oral questions relating to horticulture. All finalists will be expected to compete to generic practical questions as well as a specialist question from their sector of horticulture. There will also be a Hortisport event where all finalists race against each other to complete a number of practical activities. All oral and/or practical questions will be taken froma subjects and skills equivalent to a national horticultural qualification.

2. Interviews

A panel of three judges will interview each finalist with a range of question relating to past experiences, education, interests, etc.

3. Computer Project

Finalists will be expected to complete a 90 minute computer based activity.

4. Evening Session

A semi-formal dineer will be held in the eventing with a MC as well as a guest entertainer. During the evening finalists will give a short 3 minute prepared speech. The speeches are sponsored by Massey University and the best overall speech will win a prize to the value of $500. There will also be a general knowledge quiz for finalists to participate in. The awards ceremony and winner will be announced during the evening session.

Dinner Tickets

Tickets to the Grand Final will be available for purchase from early September. Please contact Elenka Nikoloff for more details. Email:elenka.nikoloff@xtra.co.nz

The Grand Final Prize Packages

1st  Prize:  

Travel and accommodation to the value of $8,000
Leadership NZ Educational Management course  $12,000
Swazi® Apparel Clothing package $1,000
Fruitfed supplies Gift Voucher to the value of $1,000
Husqvarna Chainsaw    RRP $499
Book vouchers to the value of $100
NZ Horticultural Magazine Subscription for one year, $100
A Bottle of Champagne

2nd Prize:  

Outward Bound course to the value of $3,500
Swazi® Apparel Clothing package $1,000
Fruitfed Supplies Gift Voucher to the value of $750
Husqvarna Blower Vac    RRP $299
Book vouchers to the value of $100
NZ Horticultural Magazine Subscription for one year, $100
A Bottle of champagne

3rd Prize:  

Swazi® Apparel Clothing package $1,000
Fruitfed Supplies Gift Voucher to the value of $500
Husqvarna Pruning saw and telescopic shaft  RRP $220
Book vouchers to the value of $100
NZ Horticultural Magazine Subscription for one year, $100
A Bottle of champagne