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New Zealand’s top young amenity horticulturist has been found after two days of intense competition at the Young Amenity Horticulturist of the Year event, held at the Auckland Botanic Gardens on 17th and 18th June.

The annual New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA) event aims to find the top young horticulturist from the country’s public parks and gardens, with the champion going on to represent the amenity sector at the Young Horticulturist of the Year Grand Final in Auckland in November.

Wellingtonian Karl Noldan emerged victorious in this year’s showdown after planning, planting and potting his way to the title.

The 30-year-old Wellington Botanic Garden team leader is now a two-time winner, edging out Kamo’s Jane Mander retirement village head gardener Jason van der Hulst to take the trophy.

Noldan stated “it was a great experience.

“You get to compete with people from across the country from around the same level, and discuss your ideas with industry leaders and experts on a range of topics. That’s an opportunity you wouldn’t normally get.”

The competition was judged by horticulture luminaries Jack Hobbs, Manager of the Auckland Botanic Gardens, and Elenka Nikoloff, Manager of the Young Horticulturist of the Year Grand Final, alongside industry experts from organisations such as Farmlands and PGG Wrightson.

Contestants were judged on practical elements including potting, nursery skills, machinery maintenance and repair, as well as business skills, leadership potential, and public speaking.

Noldan said he rediscovered his passion for horticulture after attaining a bachelor’s degree, and it wasn’t until five years ago he decided to make amenity horticulture his career.

He added “I was always very interested in horticulture growing up (and) I would have done it straight out of school, but it’s one of those subjects that can be frowned on academically.

“(However), it’s largely thanks to my wife that I decided to get back into it. She supported me in getting back into it, and has encouraged me to work in an area that I’m truly passionate about.”

Noldan said he sees great promise in the future of the horticulture industry, and thinks there’s a lot that can be achieved through collaboration and recognising best practice from around the world.

“There’s great potential in the industry, and there’s so much that can be achieved. The conversations we’ve had at the event and over the past few weeks show a lot of promise for the future

"In the longer term I’d like to manage the Botanical Gardens in Wellington, but until then I want to go and experience gardens and different ways of doing things from around the world.”

The trophy was presented in an awards ceremony at NZRA’s annual Green Pavlova parks and open spaces conference last night (18th June).

NZRA Parks and Open Spaces Project Manager Jude Rawcliffe said the competition plays an integral role in raising awareness of the industry and fostering leadership in the sector.

Rawcliffe added "success in horticulture is about a lot more than just practical knowledge. There are outstanding young leaders emerging who are passionate about changing the industry for the better.”

The costs of Noldan’s participation in the national Horticulturist of the Year Grand Final will be paid by NZRA and premier sponsor Farmlands, and he will receive mentoring and support from NZRA as this year’s champion of amenity horticulture. His prize also includes a full-year NZRA membership and complimentary registrations for NZRA’s National Conference and Parks Seminar.

Northlander and two-time runner up prize winner Jason van der Hulst hotly contested the title, winning the speech section of the competition and scoring highly in several events.

van der Hulst receives a full-year NZRA membership and a complimentary NZRA’s Parks Seminar registration.

For further information on the Young Amenity Horticulturist of the Year competition is available on the NZRA website at www.nzrecreation.org.nz 

Images (from top): Karl Noldan (left) receives his award and the Botanical Gardens in Wellington.

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