New Zealand award-winning comedian and TV personality, Te Radar, has been confirmed as MC for the Bay of Plenty Young Fruit Grower gala dinner at Mills Reef Winery on Wednesday, June 22.

NZKGI Chairman, Doug Brown, says the organising committee is delighted to confirm Te Radar, whose talent to combine laughter and entertainment with topical horticultural topics like sustainability, makes him one of New Zealand's most well-known personalities.

New Zealand comedian Te Radar.

'We're absolutely thrilled to confirm Te Radar as our MC. His ability to make people laugh by drawing on experiences from intrepid journeying, stand-up comedy and his sustainable living TV shows, Off the Radar and Radar's Patch, will bring a whole new level of entertainment to this year's event,” says Doug.

'The 2016 event has is already proving to be much bigger than previous years with almost 450 people from the Bay of Plenty's horticultural community expected to attend the gala dinner.”

'The organising committee has recently announced an upgrade in venue to a heated, outdoor marquee due to tickets selling out in record time! This goes to show how much momentum the annual Bay of Plenty event is gaining each year and the support our up-and-coming young growers are receiving from the industry.”

Contestants battle it out for the 2016 title by taking part in a series of competitive events during the day and a speech competition during the gala dinner. The winner is announced at the gala dinner.

Tickets to the gala dinner are $90 per person, with tables of 12 available. This includes a three-course meal and entertainment. Networking drinks start at 5.30pm.

Tickets are still available at www.boyyoungfruitgrower.co.nz