Ages: Criteria below
When: Thursday 22nd October, TIME TBC
Where: Showcase Hall Marquee
Fees: Entry is Free
Prizes:
• The Yara Women in Horticulture Scholarship recipient will receive a grant of $2,000 (incl. GST) which will be paid towards your selected course fees.
• Second prize is $500 (incl GST) which will be paid towards your selected course fees.
Each entrant will receive two complimentary tickets to attend the HB A&P Show.
The Yara Women in Horticulture Scholarship aims to recognise leadership qualities in a woman working in the horticulture industry. The primary purpose of the scholarship is to provide recognition and financial assistance to an outstanding female within the horticulture sector. It also achieves the secondary purpose of highlighting careers for women across the industry. The winner will be announced at the 'Hawke's Bay A&P Show on Thursday 23rd of October. Each finalist will be allocated two tickets to attend the function.
Women in Horticulture Scholarship Criteria:
The applicant must be:
• Currently working in the horticulture industry.
• Considered a valuable employee, recognised by her organisation as a high potential and motivated individual.
• Demonstrates strong leadership qualities and is succeeding in her career.
• Actively contributes to her community.
• Supports her staff and or peers to perform at their best.
• Is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
Application Process:
• Enter using the link below. Supplementary information is required to be submitted and is detailed on the application form.
• Prior to submission of an entry, all entrants agree to inform their employer and/or any other persons connected to their entry and agrees to obtain whatever consents and permissions may be required to participate in the application process.
• All expenses and costs associated with applying shall be borne entirely by the applicant.
References:
• Two references must be supplied with the application form.
Selection Process:
Once the application form has been received, notification will be sent by the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society confirming receipt. Finalists will be identified and invited to be interviewed by a selection panel appointed by the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society.
This will include:
• A representative from Yara
• A representative from the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society
• A recognised leader from the horticulture industry selected and agreed upon by Yara and the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society.
Finalist Judging:
Interviews will be held at the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society Office in the first two weeks of October, unless notified otherwise.
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, applicants must be on site at the Hawke’s Bay A&P Show.
Decisions of the selection panel will be final and no correspondence or communication whatsoever will be entered into in respect of the selection panel’s deliberation or decisions.
The panel reserves the right to present no overall winner and eliminate any entries which they do not feel meet the eligibility criteria.
Prizegiving:
The winner will be announced at the Hawke’s Bay A&P Show on Thursday 22nd of October. Each finalist will be allocated two tickets to attend the function.
Entries close at the end of September/Beginning of October
All details will be available on entry form. For more information contact admin@hbap.co.nz
2025 Yara Women in Horticulture Scholarship Results
The 2025 Yara Women in Horticulture Scholarship prize of a $2,000 grant paid towards their selected course fees is Kelly Minehan.
What inspired / inspires Kelly to work within the Horticultur Industry, read below:
My first real introduction to horticulture was at a recruitment day at the Toi Toi Event Centre in Hastings. I was still at school, and I had no idea that horticulture could be more than a short-term job. What stood out to me was that it offered the chance to learn while working, grow new skills, and build a career in an industry that matters to New Zealand.
I started with summer work at Johnny Appleseed in 2020, which gave me my first orchard experience. I really enjoyed the variety and the teamwork, and it gave me a sense of achievement knowing that what I was doing contributed to the success of the crop. From there, I joined Mr Apple as a cadet and haven’t looked back.
What inspires me most is how practical the work is. I like being outdoors, moving around, and seeing the results of my effort. Completing my Levels 2–4 in Fruit Production at EIT has been important too. I loved being able to take what I learned in class and actually put it into practice in the orchard. That mix of learning and doing is what really hooked me.
I also enjoy the rhythm of the orchard year — planting, training, and then harvesting. There’s something special about seeing a crop through from start to finish and knowing you played a part in that.
For me, horticulture isn’t just a job. It’s a career where I can keep learning, be part of a global industry, and help shape a future that’s more sustainable.