Kiwifruit grower recognised in HortNZ awards

HortNZ president Julian Raine presented the award at the Horticulture New Zealand conference awards dinner in Rotorua.

The new award is intended to recognise outstanding and inspiring leadership within the horticulture industry.

Greaves has spent his life in the Bay of Plenty where he has experienced the ups and downs of the horticulture industry.

In 2010, Psa disease began wiping out New Zealand kiwifruit crop and Greaves realised that growers needed support. He developed a unique framework to give rural people the opportunity to communicate about their feelings and situations.

“Ian provided life-saving pastoral support to growers during this time,” says Raine.

“He has made a positive difference to our industry by developing a system that deals with the seriousness of life during rural crisis.”

“He has helped rural people to recognise stress is something that does not have to be endured on your own.”

Other awards presented at the event were the horticulture industry’s premier award, the Bledisloe Cup, to Hawke’s Bay consultant John Wilton, and industry service awards to berry fruit scientist Geoff Langford and former HortNZ chief executive Peter Silcock.

John Wilton was recognised for his long-serving commitment to the pipfruit industry.

The industry service awards were also presented for the first time.