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Crop manager Jack Haddon was named 2025 Pukekohe Young Grower in Tuakau on May 23. HELENA O’NEILL talks with Jack about working in horticulture and competing in the Young Grower competition.
How did you end up in horticulture?
I became interested in horticulture after getting a school holiday job with Sutherland Produce in Bombay when I was 15. I joined the company full-time at 17 and moved to Balle Bros in 2022. I’m 22 now.
How long have you been working at Balle Brothers?
It will be coming up three years in July. When I first started, I was hired as a spray operator /chemical applicator and general operator. Most days I would be driving a sprayer, spraying off paddocks. When I wasn’t doing that then I was doing groundwork, applying fertiliser, harvesting, or whatever else was needed.
What are you doing there now?
I have stepped up as operations as crop manager, looking after the whole of the cabbage and cauliflower operation for Balle Brothers. We crop 200 hectares of cauliflower and cabbage, about a 50-50 split.
Day-to-day I’m managing the two harvest teams and co-ordinating planting, truck drivers getting produce out of the paddocks, and any other activities that need to be done to grow the crop.
How are you finding the management role?
I’m still learning a lot every single day, which is pretty awesome. Lots of new challenges to work through.
Do you have a favourite crop to work with?
Definitely cauliflower. It keeps you on your toes and it’s very interesting to grow. It’s very hard to predict.
What do you love about your job, and the horticulture industry?
I love the variety in the work, being outdoors (even when muddy). Being out in the sun during summer is great. I love the outdoor aspect of it and working with great people.
You took part in Pukekohe High School’s Horticulture Pathways programme, run by Dave Matthews. Was that helpful for you joining the industry?
He made it such an enjoyable topic to study at school. He helped us a lot, was always there to answer questions, and helped us when we were stuck. Horticulture teachers can have such a big impact on your journey with horticulture.
Congratulations on your recent win at the 2025 Pukekohe Young Grower regional title, nice to win after being runner-up last year. Was it a bit easier competing a second time around?
Yes, definitely. I felt a lot more comfortable going into the competition knowing what to expect. Two others returned this year after competing last year, so it was good to see them again too.
How did this year compare with last year’s competition?
It surprised me a bit. There were a few different questions in some of the ones I thought I might have had easy last year that caught me out this year. But it was a good mix of questions with some fruit-related ones in there as well.
What did you choose as your product for the marketing module?
I came up with marketing cauliflower pizza bases. Pretty much cauliflower rice mixed with eggs and cheese, then turned into a base that’s baked before adding toppings and cooking like a regular pizza. It’s a low-carb, keto, paleo, gluten-free option. I got pretty high marks in that section, so I was happy with that.
What would you say to someone considering joining the horticulture industry?
Give it a go. You’ll learn so much from it – it’s an experience like no other really.
Working in horticulture is totally worth it. There are plenty of opportunities, and there’s more than just being a tractor driver or vegetable picker. You can go a lot further in the industry.
What’s next for you?
I see a really good future in the industry. I’m looking forward to the Young Grower of the Year final in Christchurch in September, and I’m getting back to studying to prepare for it.
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