Perseverance pays off for young grower

Chris Clement is the 2016 Bay of Plenty Young Grower of the Year, winning the title in Tauranga last night after a day-long event which tested competitors' practical and technical skills.

The 29-year-old technical operator with Apata Group Limited in Te Puke was up against tough competition from five other entrants.


Chris Clement, the 2016 Bay of Plenty Young Grower of the Year with Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller at last night's awards dinner.

His perseverance and preparation paid off as Chris took the top title on his fourth attempt, after finishing second in two previous years.

'I'd like to thank the kiwifruit industry and the people I have worked with who have helped me develop through my career,” says Chris.

Second place went to Aaron Hokopaura, 25, grower services representative with Aongatete Coolstores Limited Katikati, and Erin Atkinson, 29, a technical advisor from Apata Group Limited based in Te Puke took out third place.


Aaron Hokopaura, grower services representative with Aongatete Coolstores Limited who was second in the Bay of Plenty Young Grower competition with MP Todd Muller at last night's awards dinner.


Erin Atkinson technical advisor, Apata Group Limited who was third in the Bay of Plenty Young Grower competition with MP Todd Muller at last night's awards dinner.

Chris was directly involved in helping the industry through one of its toughest times when the vine disease Psa-V threatened its future.

In 2012 Chris joined Kiwifruit Vine Health, the organisation set up to help the industry's recovery, and contributed to the development of advisory and best practice Psa-V management material.

Chris also worked with growers, regional co-ordinators and compliance officers, and generated weekly GIS maps to track the spread of Psa-V across New Zealand. He oversaw the development and implementation of an information management system to help control the disease.

After 2.5 years with KVH, he returned to postharvest last year.

Chris first joined the industry with the post-harvest company Aongatete at Katikati in 2008 after studying for a Bachelor of Science majoring in horticultural science at Massey University. He also has a Certificate in Sustainable Nutrient Management.

This is the second year in a row that one of Apata Group Limited's staff has won the top award. Last year it was technical advisor Craig Ward who won the trophy.

Yesterday Chris and the five other entrants took part in a series of event, many of them carried out in heavy rain, including the operation of machinery and identification of horticultural plants.

Points were gained for each task and the final judging was based on a speech each entrant presented before an audience of 420 people at the gala dinner at Mills Reef.


A record 420 people attended last night's Bay of Plenty Young Grower of the Year awards dinner at Mills Reef.

Host for the evening was TV personality and comedian Te Radar, who entertained with stories about behind the scene escapades during the filming of his television shows.

Chris will represent the Bay of Plenty late in the year when he competes for the national titles of NZ Young Fruit Grower and Young Grower of the Year.

Bay of Plenty MP congratulates BOP Young Grower of the year

Todd Muller MP for the Bay of Plenty attended the Bay of Plenty Grower of the Year awards at Mills Reef winery and was blown away by the talent found in our local industry.

"These awards ensure that there is a solid foundation of leaders coming into the horticultural industry and by the candidates that I have seen tonight I am confident that our industry is in good hands,” says Todd.

"I would like to personally congratulate Chris Clement for the hard work that he has put in to achieve this award. I also offer my congratulations to Aaron Hokopaura and Erin Atkinson were awarded second and third place respectively.

"This event speaks volumes to the young talent in our local horticultural industry and I am extremely heartened to see the fantastic candidates every year,” says Todd.

"The industry needs highly skilled, innovative growers ready to face industry challenges and strengthen New Zealand's leading position in the global market place and the region outdoes itself in supporting young growers to achieve this.

"The future success of this industry relies on ensuring that our future leaders are passionate and skilled and our community in particular has a huge stake in this.

"Candidates from the regional Young Grower of the Year awards go on to compete in the national competition and I wish Chris all the very best in competing for the nationwide award.”


TV personality and comedian Te Radar entertained the audience at last night's 2016 Bay of Plenty Young Grower awards dinner.

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