An employee of New Zealand's largest fresh market tomato grower, Status Produce from Pukekohe, has won the Young Grower of the Year competition run by Horticulture New Zealand.
Ben Smith, 29, has a marketing role with the company.
He took out the national title in Rotorua from three other regional finalists.
Mr Smith says the competition tested a range of horticulture, business and practical skills, as well as public speaking.
Part of his prize is a trip to Australia, where he will be studying the marketing of tomatoes.
