Scotts Innovation Award

Unfortunately there were insufficient entries for this award to proceed. Scotts instead are now a Gold sponsor of Conference and will host a breakfast on Thursday morning.

NZ Gardener Marketing Awards

A whopping 125 entries were received, just one shy of the record set in 2008. Newsletters [electronic versions] and websites are popular entries; the number of commercial catalogue entries doubled; and printed adverts remain a popular choice. A judging panel will convene this month in Auckland to decide the finalists and winners, which will be presented at the Awards Dinner Thursday 29th in The Great Hall, Christchurch.

HortFert Young Achiever Award

Six young industry people submitted entries. Each entry will be assessed and scored by a judging panel, and the top three will be invited to attend Conference as finalists to compete in the Award. The entrants are:

• Alana Lusty, propagation assistant, Taupo Native Plant Nursery

• Alice Buschl, nursery assistant, Bay Nurseries, Nelson

• Claire Masters, sales consultant, Plant Wholesalers, Whenuapai

• Dave Harris, production manager, Thirkettle Nurseries, Richmond

• Michael Tither, nursery manager/owner, Plants Direct, Invercargill

• Morgan Rogers, commercial product manager, Waimea Nurseries, Richmond

The three finalists will be announced in the July News. The judging panel this year is:

• Carol Fraser, Growing Spectrum Horticultural Training Centre

• Helen van der Werff, NZ Hort ITO

• Greg Kitson, Ambrosia Nurseries

Mark Stevenson, of HortFert will act as Associate Judge. As sponsor, he is once again very pleased with the calibre of applicants, and is sure it will be a competitive contest and this will prepare the finalist well for the Young Horticulturalist of the Year competition.

Yates Garden Retailer of the Year

The five finalists were announced in the May NGIA News, and the final judging was completed in April by guest Australian judge Peter Whitehead. Winners of the special categories, which could be any of the 28 entrants, will be announced during Peter’s presentation of the finalists on Thursday.

The winner of the Yates Retail Trophy will be announced at the Awards Dinner. The winning garden centre receives a trip for two to Melbourne for the 2011 Melbourne Flower and Garden Show.

NGIA gratefully acknowledges the generous support of these sponsors and supporters of the Awards programme.