Katikati's Craig Ward is the Bay of Plenty Young Fruit Grower for 2015.

Craig won the title after a day-long competition which ended with a gala dinner in Tauranga last night.

Bay of Plenty Young Fruit Grower for 2015 Craig Ward with Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller at last night's awards ceremony at Mills Reef Winery.

The 26-year-old headed off seven other contestants to take the title in a close-fought competition which included a series of challenges ranging from biosecurity to fungicide treatment, designed around the fundamental skills needed to run a successful fruit-growing business.

The final tests was to deliver a speech to the 288 strong audience gathered for the dinner at Mills Reef Winery.

Overwhelmed and delighted is how Craig described his win.

He entered the contest for the first time last year and his aim in 2015 was to finish in the top three. His win exceeded his expectations.

Craig won a $1500 cash prize, and as a Young Grower of the Year finalist, he also won a one-day media and presentation course in Auckland and an all-expenses paid trip to Christchurch to compete in the national Young Grower of the Year competition, run by Horticulture New Zealand on 12-13 August.

'I know that the national competition will be an even bigger challenge than this one, but I feel well prepared. To be honest I'm just looking forward to getting stuck in, doing my best and seeing what I can learn from the other competitors," says Craig.

"Most of us work with different produce so it will be interesting to see which skills are the same and which are different.

'I would definitely recommend this competition to any young fruit growers. It's a great way to push yourself in all elements of the job and you get the chance to meet some really supportive people who can help you with your career.”

The technical manager with Apata Group, Craig has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Horticulture from Massey University and a Post-Graduate Diploma of Agri-Science in Horticulture. He grew up on a farm and orchard near Katikati.

Craig will represent the Bay of Plenty at the National Young Grower of the Year competition in Christchurch in August.

Mike Chapman, CEO of New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers, says this is the Bay of Plenty contest's 11th year and its biggest yet, attracting strong support from major industry sponsors and contestants.

'We began 11 years ago at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic with hospitality student's catering for the dinner for around 70 guests.”

Julian Raine, president of Horticulture New Zealand, says the grower competitions held throughout the country are an important way to encourage young people to advance in the industry and celebrate their successes.

'The kiwifruit and avocado industries are a billion dollar industry and it's important to show case them,” he says.

Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller congratulated both the avocado and kiwifruit industries on their recent successes, kiwifruit in overcoming the devastation of the vine disease Psa-V and the avocado industry on its rationalization which has seen improved returns to growers and it's gaining of $4 million in Primary Growth Partnership funding for further research.

He then challenged the industry to question whether it was time to change the perception that the horticultural industry offered mainly low paying, part time work and how to turn that around by focusing on their remuneration and value to the industry.

The evening also raised nearly $5000 from an auction for an appeal to help with cyclone relief work in Vanuatu and Zespri Board chairman Peter McBride announced the marketer has donated a further $15,000 towards the fund which has a target of $100,000.

Simon Bowker, 28, from EHC Orchard Management, Te Puke, took second place and won $1000 cash, and Aaron Hokopaura, 24, from Aongatete Coolstores Limited, Katikati, secured third place with a prize of $500 cash.

Reuben Wallis from Whangarei and Chris Clement, Courtenay McBride, Greg Brown and Samantha Mansell from Te Puke also competed.