Bay of Plenty Young Grower of the Year has been postponed due to the country’s jump in alert levels.

The event was set to be held on Thursday, February 18 at the Te Puke A&P Showgrounds. A new date has not yet been set.

Eight young growers spanning from Katikati to Opotiki are competing for this year’s title.

Due to the COVID-19 situation, the prudent measure to postpone both the competition day and gala dinner has been made, says a NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated spokesperson.

The spokesperson says the event will likely be held later in the year after Kiwifruit harvest.

“Recognising that many of the contestants are heavily involved in harvest over the coming months, it has been decided that a new date will be set for the period after harvest.”

Event organiser Renee Pritchley says the postponement is “disappointing”, but it is what it is.

“We were ready for something like this – it is just the climate at the moment with events.”