Katikati orchardist Daniel Kenna has been awarded the 2025 Horticulture New Zealand President’s Trophy, recognising his leadership and contribution to the kiwifruit industry.

The KW Kiwi orchard manager and sustainability lead was caught by surprise when his name was announced at the HortNZ Awards night, having attended only because he and his wife, Josephine, won their tickets in a radio competition.

“I had no idea I was even up for it and I still don’t know who nominated me, but I am very proud to have won,” said Kenna.

Childhood in the orchard

Daniel Kenna and his two brothers, William and James, grew up on the KW Kiwi kiwifruit orchard, which was established by their parents, Stephen Kenna and Phillipa Wright, in the 1980s.

“As a child, there wasn’t a time when I wasn’t involved in the seasonality of orchard work – it was just a way of life.”

Although Kenna always planned to return to the orchard, he attended the University of Canterbury and completed a BSc in geology. He then spent time in the construction industry and worked as an abseiler stabilising slopes after the Kaikōura earthquake.

“I started fulltime on the orchard in 2019. Both my brothers have made their way back and we work together with our parents. We’re proud that the orchard has always been family-run and will be safe in the hands of the next generation.”

Between them, the family holds decades of horticultural knowledge, combined with scientific grounding, a passion for sustainability, and a willingness to embrace new ideas and technology while continually learning and adapting.

Industry initiatives

Kenna has made a strong impact in a relatively short time since beginning his career in the horticultural sector.

He has become a leader in research, community engagement and innovation, and is passionate about the environmental and economic sustainability of New Zealand’s horticultural industry.

“Previously, I had participated in the Young Grower of the Year competition. I really enjoyed the experience and it gave me the confidence to put my hand up for small governance roles within the sector.”

Most recently, his leadership has included establishing the Impact Orchard Network (Ion)in partnership with Zespri, with the family orchard among the first participants.

The programme is designed to develop, improve and demonstrate sustainable, effective orchard practices. Its goal is to enhance sustainability and transparency while maintaining or improving productivity across the kiwifruit industry.

Daniel Kenna, centre, with HortNZ board's deputy chairman Brydon Nisbet and chairwoman Bernadine Guilleux. Photo / Supplied

Ion will support three orchards to share their insights with the wider industry – highlighting what works well, what could be improved, and how they intend to create positive economic and environmental change in the future.

“The family enjoys sharing insights and knowledge, from technology to our own experiences, to bring people in the industry together.”

Kenna is also part of an industry sub-group for climate change and sustainability, where industry perspectives come together to navigate changing growing conditions and evolving customer expectations.

“In this sub-group, I enjoy contributing to the challenge of meeting the continually evolving expectations of the international market.”

Governance roles

Kenna has stepped into governance as a co-chairman on the board of Future Farmers, an agricultural policy think tank.

“Future Farmers’ statement of hope states that we stand at a pivotal moment for New Zealand’s food and fibre sector, which presents not just challenges but a chance to lead the world in the future of sustainable, high-value food production.

“Future Farmers believes the sector can collectively evolve again, embracing and shaping the future.”

He also leads sustainability research for horticulture in New Zealand and globally. He is part of a world-first research trial, involving several growers, exploring the impact of applying biochar to soil in a kiwifruit orchard.

This research sets the baseline for carbon removal in kiwifruit orchards and aims to provide solutions to carbon challenges in the horticulture sector.

Kenna has also managed KW Kiwi’s crop estimation trial for Zespri, which provides an annual fruit count estimate to the industry.

Moving forward, he is committed to continuing with the family business while growing and challenging himself.

“I believe in surrounding myself with people who are more experienced than me, and listening and learning from the current guard. It takes their knowledge, combined with new technology and ideas, to steer the industry forward.”

He also believes there is no better grounding than rural life and the seasonality of growing food, and he and Josephine are committed to raising their family rurally.