Horticulture New Zealand has announced 19 new scholars as part of its 2024 leadership programme.
The successful candidates perform diverse roles, ranging from self-employed growers to those working in sales and marketing, export management, HR and logistics for grower businesses.
They also bring varied experience, ranging from science or engineering backgrounds to previous careers in the army, agronomy, geology, rural banking, auditing and butchery before moving into horticulture.
“What these applicants all have in common is that they have demonstrated leadership or leadership potential and a willingness to assume responsibility in grower or industry matters,” said Nadine Tunley, chief executive of HortNZ.
“The programme is designed for potential and current leaders in the fruit and vegetable industry. They will join the ranks of more than 300 graduates since 2002 who have developed their leadership knowledge and skills in a popular and highly respected programme that is well supported by industry leaders.”
This year’s intake of 19 scholars is larger than the usual 12. Tunley said this was made possible with support from the Grower Relief Fund and the generosity of people who donated to it through last year’s North Island weather events.
HortNZ has partnered with Rural Leaders, which provides the Kellogg rural leadership programme, to deliver the renewed programme.
The programme has been reviewed against the current industry landscape and the food and fibre sector leadership framework funded by the Food & Fibre Centre of Vocational Excellence.
HortNZ Leadership Programme scholars 2024
Amy Willoughby, business development manager for Trevelyan’s Pack and Cool Limited in Te Puke
Annabelle McGuire, Asia sales manager for Kiwi Crunch in Twyford, near Hastings
Mei Qi Cheah, a post-harvest supervisor for Oakley’s Premium Fresh Vegetables in Southbridge, Canterbury
Bobby Lowe, commercial managerSKL Produce, Auckland
Niel Redelinghuys, operations manager, LeaderBrand, Canterbury
Jake Tully, shipping and operations associate for Taylor Corp, Hawke’s Bay
Jeremy Whitten, operations manager for covered crops for T&G Fresh, from Waiuku
Justin Wehner, orchard operations manager for Echodale Marketing in the Tasman region
Michaela Horcinova, people and culture partner for Southern Cross Horticulture in Tauranga
Nicole Hope, assistant manager at Craigmore Sustainables’ Springhill Orchard in Central Hawke’s Bay
Oliver Hoare, grower services representative for Hume Pack-N-Cool, Katikati
Reuben Carter, crop manager for Oakley’ Premium Fresh Vegetables in Southbridge, Canterbury
Rowan Wallace, owner and manager of Zebor orchard, Tauranga
Sammy Sinclair, regional postharvest quality manager for T&G Fresh for the Hawke’s Bay/ Tairāwhiti region
Scott Harvey, onion crop programme manager for A S Wilcox & Sons in Pukekohe
Sinnead Flannery, horticultural manager for Howatson Rural in Tairāwhiti region
Taurion Colquhoun, growing supervisor for Kaipaki Berries in Ohaupo, Waikato
Tim Tietjen, fifth-generation horticulturalist and orchard owner/manager, Gisborne
Tim Officer, orchard manager of the Dunstan Hills stone fruit orchard in Earnscleaugh, Central Otago
