An assistant crop manager with Mr Apple NZ has won the Hawke's Bay Young Fruit Grower of the Year contest.
Benjamin James, 27, competed against nine others for the title at the A&P Show Grounds in Hastings on Thursday.
The event included both mental and physical challenges which are common within the horticulture industry.
He will go on to compete in the national Young Grower of the Year contest in Auckland next month.
