Tauranga student Ashley Clements is getting a kick-start to her agriculture career after enjoying work experience in one of the biggest companies in the Bay of Plenty.
Ashley is one of eight recipients of the latest Zespri Horticultural Scholarships and is undertaking tertiary studies at Massey University.

Ashley Clements gets some pointers at Zespri.

The former Bethlehem College student is in her first year of studying a Bachelor of Science, majoring in agricultural science and biochemistry.
The work experience has found Ashley learning about Zespri's different departments, from communications to planning and supply.
"The highlight was working alongside the technical team. I got involved in different on-orchard trials, collected samples from the orchards, then presented and analysed data on a few of the trials. This was incredibly relevant to my tertiary studies."
As the chills of winter draw closer and the days grow shorter, Ashley will return to university with new knowledge and understanding obtained during her time at Zespri.
"It was a real eye opener to the vast opportunities available in the kiwifruit industry, from working alongside growers in the orchards, to developing marketing plans to promote Zespri kiwifruit overseas."