Pruning in winter is the start of the kiwifruit production cycle and is vital to the success of the growing season.

People interested in winter pruning are invited to participate in free training courses, which are government funded and organised by NZKGI.

The training will be provided by Fruition Horticulture, which is experienced in delivering horticulture industry training throughout New Zealand.

The courses will educate and upskill workers interested in the kiwifruit industry, by teaching the basic skills and knowledge needed to confidently winter prune both gold and green kiwifruit vines.

Encouraging horticulture workers

Due to border-closures and industry expansion, New Zealand is in desperate need of workers within the horticultural sector.

The programme funding is part of the government’s “fit for better world” action plan through MPI, which aims to employ more than 10,000 New Zealanders in the primary sector.

Winter pruning training is one of several kiwifruit management courses NZKGI provide, with other courses including canopy training, summer pruning and thinning, harvest and packing training.

About the course

Winter pruning taster courses are run over one day to introduce the basic concepts and give an overview of what the job entails.

The morning is spent learning basic pruning concepts, before visiting a green and gold kiwifruit orchard to see how the pruning is done first-hand.

The afternoon in the orchard is essential for making the link between the theory and practical elements, and leaves the students with a good overall understanding of winter pruning.

After completing the taster course, participants are then eligible to enrol into the comprehensive and practical five-day winter pruning course.

Participants will be given a basic pruning kit and a good amount of field experience. Upon completion of the course, they will be given the appropriate contacts to start work.

Register your interest

The majority of participants are either new to the kiwifruit industry or have had some experience through the packing season and are keen to work outdoors.

Upcoming courses include one-day taster courses in Te Puke on July 12 and Tauranga on July 13, and a five-day winter pruning course in Te Puke on August 2-6.

Register online at www.nzkgi.org.nz/taster-course-registrations-open/ or email di.holloway@nzkgi.org.nz, or phone 0800 232 505.