Campbell Wood, 21, is the Bay of Plenty Young Grower of the Year; beating three older competitors to claim the award.

The four finalists competed on Wednesday in competitions that tested their grafting and employee management skills, horticultural knowledge and public speaking ability.

Campbell Wood, 21, won Bay of Plenty Young Grower of the Year, beating Hayden Russell, 26, (second) Todd Martelli, 22, (third) and James van Iperen, 25, (fourth).

Campbell says winning is a huge surprise.

'I didn't expect it at all.

'I just thought I would come in the competition and scope it out for the next year.”

He will now compete for the national title of New Zealand Young Grower of the Year at the Horticulture New Zealand Conference.

Campbell began working in the kiwifruit industry after leaving Tauranga Boys' College four years ago.
He is employed by David and Kathy Goodwin, working as a vine manager on an organic orchard and also on a conventional orchard in the Pyes Pa region.
He has completed certificates in horticulture and advanced horticulture through the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.