WORKFORCE & EDUCATION

Our sector has a strong history of developing young people who love working with plants and building their skills and knowledge. We are working with our members, industry partners, tertiary providers and the Government to reignite the training programmes and qualifications that have been so important to our sector.  

Careers and Education

With about 4000 people employed in our sector and many unfilled jobs, there are plenty of opportunities for people to join our industry and pursue an exciting and rewarding career. 

We work with other primary organisations to identify the best structures for horticultural vocational eduction.

This work includes:

• Developing our industry qualifications to ensure that they are relevant
• Promoting free apprenticeships
• Establishing a way for people to find jobs in our sector
  

To find out more, visit the Plant Careers Website.

The Young Plant Producer competition recognises the best young people in our sector and enables them to take the next step in their personal and career development.

The two-day event pushes entrants to learn valuable new skills, gives them exceptional networking opportunities with industry leaders, and a boost to their careers. Each year our Young Plant Producer joins the winners of other horticulture industry competitions in the Young Horticulturalist of the Year.

Check out the Young Plant Producer website for more information and how and when to enter.

In July 2022, we announced the establishment of the Carol Fraser Industry Training Award (Fraser Award) in memory of Carol Fraser who founded Growing Spectrum with her husband Peter. Carol, who played an extremely active role in industry training and the professional development of plant producers. This award continues Carol’s educational legacy through its support of those outstanding individuals who have a passion for plants, for training and education, and for our industry. The inaugural award was presented at the Conference 2022 awards dinner by Carol’s son Michael to Rural Design nursery manager, Dani McBride, our 2021 Young Plant Producer..

Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme

Equipping today’s leaders for tomorrow’s challenges.

The Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme has been specifically designed for the food and fibre sector.

The programme develops food and fibre sector leaders with the skills, confidence, awareness, and networks to think and act strategically.

It is for farmers, foresters, fishers, growers, and agri-professionals who have a desire to contribute to their rural community, food and fibre production, processing, or profession.

HortPartners website, discussion paper, workshop and survey launched

15 Aug 2023

Close

Image 1 of 1

Maximize imageRestore image

HortPartners is a research and education extension collaboration between Lincoln University and New Zealand’s horticulture and plants industries.

It has developed out of NZPPI's Memorandum of Understanding with Lincoln University that was signed last year. To date, HortPartners includes NZPPI, Onions NZ, Potatoes NZ, Vegetables NZ and Lincoln University. We are hoping other grower groups will also come on board.  

Extension is a model of research and education outreach that places growers and producers at its centre. Extension responds to grower needs rather than the other way around. HortPartners is now working with Lincoln University to design and implement a university-based extension framework that is accessible to New Zealand growers and producers. The goal is to build capability and capacity to enable knowledge transfer between scientists, educators, technical experts, growers and producers through field labs, workshops, seminars, webinars, and publications.

There is a discussion paper on Enhancing Horticulture Plant Production Extension in New Zealand for you to read for full details. 

We very much want to hear your views on what you would like to see in an extension and research framework. There are two ways of giving your feedback:

1. Fill in an online extension and education survey now.

2. Attend our extension framework scoping workshop at Lincoln University on Wednesday September 6. For details and to register please visit: https://hortpartners.nz/upcoming-events. We intend to hold a second workshop in Pukekohe in late spring/early summer. 

By completing the survey and/or attending the workshop, you will have the opportunity to contribute your perspectives and play a role in building a new extension and education model.

We look forward to receiving your feedback on extension and on the HortPartners model. 

 

 

 

RELATED

Government champions women in horticulture with new support initiatives

An initiative that supports networking and career progression of women in horticulture has received state funding.

Scholarships available: check if you or your team members are eligible

The Horticulture and Agriculture Teachers Association (HATA) has put together a list of scholarships available in the food and fibre sectors.

MPI scholarships available

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is expanding a scholarship programme for tertiary students as part of its efforts to boost on-the-ground support for farmers, producers and growers.

We have our Young Plant Producer 2024!

Anna England from Elliot’s Wholesale Nursery in Amberley has been named as the 2024 Young Plant Producer of the Year.

New leadership course under development for the horticulture sector

Muka Tangata, the Workforce Development Council for the food and fibre sector is working with the horticultural sector to design a new formal leadership course for emerging leaders.

2023 Fraser Award presented

Congratulations to Alice Buschl, recipient for the 2023 Fraser Award.

Proposed new BSc Major in Horticultural and Plant Sciences: signatures needed

Researchers at Lincoln University have proposed a new Horticultural and Plant Science Major (Bachelor of Science). The next stage in the process of approving the qualification is gathering endorsement signatures to support the business case.

Our Young Plant Producer wins accolades at Young Hort

A big congratulations to Lydia O'Dowd of Southern Woods Nursery in Christchurch who came third place in the Young Horticulturalist competition and won the innovation and speech awards.

Working Holiday Schemes reopening

​The 2023 reopening dates for capped Working Holiday Schemes have now been confirmed by Immigration New Zealand.

New Approach to Food and Fibre Qualifications

Muka Tangata seeks your feedback on proposed food and fibre qualification system

Inaugural Fraser Award presented

Our conference awards dinner kicked off with the presentation of the inaugural Carol Fraser Industry Training Award aka the Fraser Award to our 2021 Young Achiever Dani McBride.

Conference workshop 2: Leadership transformation

Experienced primary industry leadership coach, Sue Pickering, brought her deep knowledge and inspiration to this workshop to help attendees understand that sticking to a traditional leadership style doesn’t work anymore.

Zealandia Horticulture embracing Secondary School Employer Partnership (SSEP)

Zealandia Horticulture is working with Christchurch students to promote plant production.

TEC research into school leaver decision-making provides industry opportunity

TEC has put out a foundation piece of research that presents a deeper understanding of how school leavers decide their next steps. We need to ensure we make use of the findings to increase our workforce.

Immigration update: new websites and employer webinar

Immigration New Zealand has relaunched its website to attract migrants plus has a webinar this Friday on Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) job check requirements

Our Young Achievers are competing this week! 25 July

Our Young Achievers are getting ready to fly to Christchurch for Challenge Day. Read the general media release

NZPPI opens an office on Lincoln campus

We are delighted to announce that our People Capability Advisor Alice Schofield is now based at Lincoln campus, forging a closer relationship with the institute and providing us with a South Island presence.

Muka Tangata Hui

Muka Tanagata, the Workforce Development Council for People, Food, and Fibre, has heard insights on the needs of the plant production sector. NZPPI People Capability Advisor Alice Schofield recently attended a hui hosted by Muka Tanagata as part of its discovery of ways to enhance vocational education.

Young Achiever of the Year competition is back and bigger than ever before

Is one of your team members the plant production industry’s next Young Achiever? Give your emerging leaders the chance to represent the plant production industry in the 2022 Young Horticulturalist of the Year competition and boost their growing career.

Congratulations to Dani McBride!

NZPPI 2021 Young Achiever, Dani McBride, was a major achiever at the 2021 Young Horticulturalist of the Year competition yesterday where she came 2nd overall and presented with a suite of awards.

COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payment

We understand that wages during this time can be a confusing space. The government has set up different schemes for differing circumstances for every business.

Students Lining up for Horticulture

Last month Matt Dolan had the privilege to present at the Horticulture Agriculture Teachers Association (HATA) Conference in Motueka, where he learned that after decades of declining student numbers, horticulture classes are again filling up.

Do you know any Young Achievers?

Entries close on Sunday 2 May for the Young Achiever of the Year 2021. Do you know any Young Achievers you can encourage to take the next step in their career?

Business Central's Payroll Bootcamp Available to all NZPPI Members

Business Central has put together a Payroll Bootcamp, starting 11th May 2021, updating you on changes to payroll legislation. All NZPPI members can take advantage of their member discount price, courtesy of our affiliation with the EMA.

Skilled Newcomers program connecting you with skilled talent

Business Central has an awesome initiative, creating ease for employers when looking for the right candidates for their company.

2021 Primary Industries Good Employer Awards opens for entries

Entries are open for the 2021 Primary Industries Good Employer Awards. The awards celebrate primary sector employers who demonstrate exceptional employment practices.

Skills Shortages

The closure of NZ’s borders due to Covid-19 means that there will be lack of overseas workers – especially in high skill areas, like propagation.

Join NZ Plant Producers at Grow Ōtautahi Christchurch Garden Festival, 12-14 March

Grow Ōtautahi Christchurch Garden Festival is a vibrant, contemporary garden festival

Kellogg Rural Leadership Course 2 applications open now

Are you working in the food and fibre sector and passionate about growing your leadership style, your networks and contributing to your community and industry? If you are, then we encourage you to take the next step in your development and do a Kellogg Rural Leadership course.

Primary Industry Capability Alliance research and insights forum on workforce in the food and fibre sector

On February the 25th NZ Plant Producers attended the PICA research & insights forum on ‘Growing our Workforce through Quality Workplaces’

New Zealand emerging from the bubble

On Wednesday 24 March, NZ Plant Producers Alice Schofield and Alix Walles attended Ngā Kōrero Whai Take - Conversations that Count.

Women's leadership scholarships available

Scholarships are currently available through Women & Leadership New Zealand to support the development of women leaders across New Zealand’s plants and horticulture sector

He Tātai Rangahua - The Food and Fibre Youth Network

Apply for the Food and Fibre Youth Council – registration closes on the 9th of April.

Minimum wage rates increase from Thursday, 1 April 2021

As a business owner or manager, you need to be ready for the increase in minimum wage rates from Thursday, 1 April 2021.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our labour survey

NZ Plant Producers would like to say thank you to everyone who participated in our labour survey, to identify your needs in labour, skills and training for 2021

Catch us at the Rotorua careers expo

We are very excited to be participating at this year’s career expo in Rotorua on the 10th and 11th of May.

NZ Plant Producers at Grow Ōtautahi

NZ Plant Producers attended Grow Ōtautahi Christchurch Garden Festival on 12-14 March

Entries now open – are you the next plant production Young Achiever?

After being forced to cancel in 2020, the next competition will be held on July 14-15, at Growing Spectrum, Hamilton. Entries are open and must be submitted by Sunday 2 May 2021.

Lincoln University resumes horticulture diplomas and degrees

The new Bachelor of Commerce (Horticulture) is designed to produce business leaders in the horticultural and food industries. The degree will provide the skills and knowledge to pursue a career in a management or advisory role.

Plant production jobs showcased

Plant production joins other primary industries to promote careers and employment opportunities throughout New Zealand.