James Blair Named 2026 Young Grower National Champion
James Blair, an agronomist for AS Wilcox and the Pukekohe regional champion, has won the 2026 Young Grower national title.
He says the national contest was a noticeable step up from the regional competitions held earlier this year, adding that he appreciated being able to compete for the national title in his home region.
“It was so nice to be on my home turf, there were a lot of familiar faces, and it was pretty special for it to be in Pukekohe,” Leabourn says.
When he won the Pukekohe regional competition in May, Leabourn was working as an agronomist at Leaderbrand. Six weeks ago, he started a new job as a produce lead for fruit importer SKU Ltd in Wiri.
"It’s been great to learn a new skill set and to test myself. I’m really enjoying it and it’s been refreshing looking at the cool store/warehouse/packhouse side of the horticulture business,” he says.
Leabourn was one of six young people to compete in a series of practical and theoretical horticulture modules across two days.
The competition is designed to encourage young people to take up a career in horticulture as well as celebrate their success in the industry.
The competition tested the vegetable and fruit-growing knowledge along with the skills needed to be successful growers. Competitors completed practical tests in nutrition and fertigation, tractor operation, integrated pest management, keeping everyone healthy and safe, agrichemical stewardship, and horticulture biosecurity. They also did two business activities - innovation and a leadership panel - as well as a speech.
Leabourn won the innovation, business, practical, and young vegetable grower categories before taking out the national title.
“It’s a real recognition of how great the other five contestants were, such strong competitors and it was a nice group of guys and girls," Leabourn says.
Horticulture New Zealand president, Barry O’Neil, says the organisation takes great pride in hosting the final in different parts of the country every year and appreciates the support received from local growers.
Each of the six young leaders worked hard to get to the national competition and blew us away with their speeches on Thursday night.
"Four out of six speeches focused on the Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan outcome area of Nurture People. And nurture people we must. I encourage you to consider how you can contribute to this outcome area of the action plan to attract, retain, and grow great people in horticulture."
HortNZ general manager of strategy and policy Michelle Sands says it is important to highlight the work of regional organisers who host and run the competitions across six regions.
"Their dedication is what drives this fantastic industry-wide programme, and our young growers wouldn’t have made it to this national stage without them.
"It is important for us all to support the next generation of horticulture industry leaders. We are so fortunate to have so many passionate and talented young leaders pursuing careers in our industry."
