Youth Council Update – July 2026
By Jamie Wells.
As we pass the halfway point of the year, Youth Council members have continued to engage actively across the wider vegetable industry.
North Island members recently attended the Pukekohe Young Grower of the Year competition, where the next generation of industry talent put their skills and knowledge to the test. Congratulations to James Blair from Wilcox, who will represent the region at the national final.
We were also excited to see our now ex-Youth Council Chair, Amber Davy, winning the Canterbury Young Grower of the Year competition on Thursday 25 June. It is always a fantastic opportunity to learn, network, and celebrate the future leaders of our industry.
The Council has also been involved in promoting career opportunities within horticulture. Molly Green recently attended the Franklin Careers Expo, engaging with secondary school students from across the region. Events such as these are an excellent way to introduce young people to the diverse and rewarding career pathways available within the vegetable sector.
In the South Island, members hosted their inaugural “Next Gen Growers” catch-up, bringing together young growers from across the region to connect, share experiences, and build relationships. The event was well received, and we look forward to seeing it continue to grow in the future.
Looking ahead, the Youth Council will be in Wellington on 30 June for the Vegetable Industry Showcase: Feeding the Future – Advancing New Zealand’s Vegetable Producers, held at Parliament. While there, we will also hold one of our quarterly Council meetings, discussing future initiatives and opportunities to strengthen youth engagement across the industry.
As always, if you have any feedback, ideas, or topics you would like the Youth Council to explore, please reach out to any of our members. We value your input and look forward to continuing to represent and support the next generation of growers.
