2023 Winner - Lydia O’Dowd

Lydia is the Head Propagator at Southern Woods Nursery. She has completed Certificates in NZ Horticulture Nursery Production Level 3 & 4 and plans to complete a Diploma in Primary Industry Business Management in the future.

Judges said Lydia was an all rounder in the event, which was reflected in her scores achieved across the board and would be an amazing representative of the industry at the Young Horticulturist Competition where she placed third overall. She excelled in Young Plant Producer Competition in Plant Biosecurity and Protection, Propagation, Seed Collection and Processing, Agrichemicals and Spraying, Tool Maintenance, the Computer Exercise and her speech.