The Horticulture Industry Awards 2026 were presented in Wellington

The top award, the Bledisloe Cup, was presented to Peter Reynolds of TA Reynolds Ltd. The expert from Pukekohe received the award for his many years of work in developing the vegetable sector: he implemented sustainable tillage methods, addressed issues of soil health and the environmental impact of production, and actively supported educational programs for young professionals.

The President’s Trophy for leadership was awarded to T&G Global General Manager Ben Smith. In his career, he has progressed from a technical specialist to a top manager, focusing on improving the efficiency of production systems and sustainable development, while also participating in the activities of Tomatoes NZ.

The FMG Sustainable Innovation Award for innovations in sustainability was presented to the team behind the project to decarbonize refrigeration units in the kiwifruit post-harvest sector. The initiative, launched in 2024, made it possible to upgrade 29 cooling systems, reducing carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by more than 17,000 tonnes. The group included Lloyd Franks (Seeka), Ollie Hoare (HumePack), Sarah Ley (Trevelyan’s), and Les Diamond (G4 Kiwi Supply).

The Manaaki Award was received by Emeritus Professor Richard Bedford. For nearly 20 years, he has conducted independent research on the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme. His analysis helped implement a "triple-win" model that benefits employers, workers from the Pacific region, and the New Zealand economy as a whole.

Dr. Mike Currie from the Kiwifruit Breeding Centre was honored with the Industry Service Award. For over 30 years, he has applied scientific achievements in practice, improving fruit quality, orchard management methods such as girdling, and new crop cultivars. Currie is also known as a mentor, bridging applied science with daily orchard operations.