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Young Horticulturalist competition celebrates up and coming talent

13 November 2025

Primary ITO learners and graduates featured strongly at the 2025 Young Horticulturalist of the Year Competition in Auckland on 6 November, with Canterbury nursery manager Jake Linklater winning the supreme title.

Jake Linklater - Young Horticulturist of The Year 2025. Credit: Sarah Weber Photography

Jake, who completed his apprenticeship with Primary ITO in 2022, was one of six finalists who had already won their respective sector awards representing plant producers (nursery), growers, amenity (parks and recreation), viticulture, and arboriculture.

The national competition brought the finalists together to test their knowledge and practical skills over two days of challenges, before speeches at the gala dinner and awards presentation.

Jake’s win is the second consecutive year a Young Plant Producer of the Year has claimed the supreme trophy, in the national competition run by the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture Education Trust (RNZIH) to encourage career development.

Finalists: L-R: Jade Badel – Florists and Flowers sector; Nina Downer – NZ Winegrowers sector; Jake Linklater – NZ Plant Producers sector; River Foster – Young Amenity Horticulturist sector; Jordan Sutherland – Young Arborist sector; Grace Fulford – NZ Fruit and Vegetable sector. Credit: Sarah Weber Photography

Jake, 29, is the father of two daughters named Ivy and Violet and works as Nova Natives nursery manager at Nova Trust.

Jake initially worked in an aluminium factory after leaving school, before deciding an outdoors role would be a better fit. He sent his cv out and worked in landscaping for three years, discovering a passion for plants.

"That's when my love of plants and trees kicked in and I wanted to learn more and more."

After landing a role at Southern Woods nursery, Jake enrolled in a horticulture apprenticeship with Primary ITO.

“I loved learning why plants grow the way they do and why we do things. Alot of the theory on plant science is what you use every day. It makes you better equipped to make those calls within a nursery and understand other processes that take place in the business.”

Jake initially entered the Young Plant Producer of the Year competition to develop his public speaking skills, which he says have “dramatically improved.”

“To win Young Plant Producer and be recognised in your sector is pretty cool and to think I went above and beyond to win overall … it is just unbelievable.”

Jake says the nursery and horticulture industries have alot to offer people personally and professionally and he’d like to help showcase that.

“I know what it’s given me and there’s lot of different avenues you can take. The last couple of years have been a pretty cool ride.”

Meanwhile, Jake is keen to continue to develop and grow in his role at Nova Trust.

Team effort behind the scenes at Young Hort competition

Primary ITO staff were delighted to lend a helping hand to judge, moderate and volunteer throughout the Young Horticulturalist Competition in Auckland.

Members of the Primary ITO Horticulture team. L-R: Martina Balasova, Kellie Rose, Linda Dreadon, Charlie Peterson, Stephen Griffiths. Credit: Sarah Weber Photography

Sitting on the judging panel for the interview section, Delivery Manager Kellie Rose was impressed with the preparation of the finalists and their ability to think on their feet when faced with unexpected questions.

“The future of horticulture is in good hands,” Kellie says.

Martina Balasova, RNZIH board member and Primary ITO Training Adviser, says the finalists demonstrated great spirit and determination throughout the competition.

“It was a fantastic two days filled with enthusiasm, professionalism, and a genuine passion for horticulture.

“The Primary ITO team were part of the group of around forty judges and ten volunteers, alongside members of the RNZIH Education Trust, who make this event possible each year.”

In his third year judging the competition, Training Adviser Charlie Peterson says it was an honour to moderate the interview panel and judge the botany section.

“The top three were very strong candidates and all of the finalists had their different strengths. Every single one will be a genuine leader in their field going forward.

“There was a very good showing of the work that Primary ITO does with so many current and past learners taking part and the knowledge that they bring.”

Training Adviser Stephen Griffiths also assisted with judging botany, saying, “it’s clear that each competitor brought not only a strong understanding of horticulture but also a real passion for what they do.

“The competition was incredibly close, every detail counted, and it’s been a joy to see such professionalism and creativity on display throughout.”

Primary ITO staff were delighted to lend a helping hand to judge, moderate and volunteer throughout the Young Horticulturalist Competition. L-R: Stephen Griffiths; Kellie Rose; Martina Balasova; Charlie Peterson; Barbara Cahalane; Linda Dreadon.

Martina Balasova says, “On behalf of the RNZIH Education Trust, we would like to thank everyone who contributed their time, expertise, and energy to make this event such a success.”

Shout out to all of the finalists and category award winners, including Young Horticulturalist runner-up Nina Downer (Primary ITO assessor), third place getter River Foster (Primary ITO graduate), and category winners Grace Fulford and Jordan Sutherland (Primary ITO graduates).

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