Zespri chairman Peter McBride has been presented with horticulture’s premier award to recognise his outstanding leadership in the kiwifruit industry, which he’s been involved with for 40 years.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor presented the Bledisloe Cup to Peter at an awards dinner at the Horticulture Conference 2018 last month in Wellington.

Very similar to the famous rugby Bledisloe Cup, horticulture’s version is one of three cups Lord Bledisloe presented to New Zealand in 1931.

Horticulture New Zealand president Julian Raine says the cup celebrates a person who has made an outstanding and meritorious contribution to the NZ horticulture industry “and Peter McBride certainly epitomises that”.

“In 1978, Peter was first exposed to the NZ kiwifruit industry through his family’s orchard in Te Puke.

“He went on to purchase his first kiwifruit orchard in 1989, and today he has responsibility for several large farming companies and heads one of NZ’s key horticulture companies, as the chairman of Zespri Board.

“He’s fought hard for horticulture and is a key interface between growers, industry and the Government. He’s focused on innovation and also represents Zespri International as a director on the New Zealand International Business Forum, and as a member of the New Zealand-China Council.”

Along with his work for the kiwifruit industry, Peter’s had an equally long history of service to charitable organisations. He’s a former director of Longview Charitable Trust Board in the Waikato and was a director of Centrefarm Aboriginal Horticulture.

Horticulture NZ also presented – for the first time – an Environmental Award, which went to James Trevelyan from Te Puke.

“On considering the nominees for this award, the Horticulture NZ Board was heartened by the vast amount of environmental work underway and the focus growers have on sustainability,” says Julian.

“James proudly and publicly supports the environment while providing tasty, healthy, nutritious fruit to the world.

“In 2017, his family-owned company produced a report ‘Our Journey Toward a Sustainable Future’ that states sustainability is a journey that requires ongoing development, innovation, collaboration and commitment.

“James really walks the talk and you can see him talking passionately about caring for the environment in the Horticulture NZ video ‘Healthy Food for All Forever’.”

Other awards presented included a President’s Trophy to Gisborne grower and orchardist Tim Egan for promotion of horticulture; Industry Service Awards to Garry Elliott and Graham Martin; and a Horticulture NZ Life Membership to Earnscy Weaver.

The Horticulture Conference 2018 was held in Christchurch from July 23-25.