Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) has honoured the huge contribution to the sector of three industry leaders at its annual awards presentation.
Dr Stuart Davis, John Dine and Kris Robb were recognised for their services to growers at the organisation’s Annual Conference and gala dinner in Mount Maunganui on 29 August.
HortNZ also presented 2024 Aotearoa Horticulture Manaaki Awards to two community groups, Nelson/Tasman Pasifika Community Trust and Aotearoa Tongan Health Workers Association, for their valuable support of Pacific workers taking part in the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.
Dr Davis, sustainability manager for LeaderBrand in Auckland, was presented with the organisation’s Bledisloe Cup, New Zealand’s highest horticulture honour.
The Cup is awarded annually to recognise individuals who have made an outstanding and meritorious contribution to the horticulture industry in New Zealand over decades.
Dr Davis is an Honorary Fellow of the NZIAHS and Chair of the New Zealand Horticultural Science Advancement Trust.
He has played a significant role in the vegetable sector for more than 35 years, championing the introduction of science and innovation to enhance sustainable vegetable production.
He has been a Director of Vegetables NZ and Chair of the Vegetable Research and Innovation Board and has played leading roles in many industry projects, especially in integrated pest and disease management.
Currently, he is the Industry Stakeholder Advisory Group Chair for A Lighter Touch, a pan-sector programme which addresses the question of meeting consumer demands for safe plant-based foods produced under sustainable pest management programmes while also caring for the environment.
Hawke’s Bay industry consultant John Dine was presented with the Industry Service Award, which recognises long and dedicated service to a supplier or service role and working beyond the call of duty for the betterment of the industry.
During four decades in the sector, Mr Dine has been at the forefront of fruit industry transformation.
That includes benchmarking and presenting results, the introduction of high-density dwarf rootstocks, whole-season consultancy contracts, corporate growing consultancy, the development of Integrated Fruit Production (IFP) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programmes and a long involvement in the maturity monitoring programme.
Kris Robb, the general manager of Clyde Orchards in Earnscleugh, Central Otago, was awarded the President’s Trophy, which celebrates inspiring leadership within the sector.
Mr Robb is president of the Central Otago Fruit Growers Association and serves on a number of other industry committees.
HortNZ advocates for and represents the interests of New Zealand’s 4,500+ commercial fruit and vegetable growers. It has 20 affiliated product groups and more than 40 district associations.
Source: Horticulture New Zealand
