When Gavin Harris talks about where he learned the skills that have carried him through more than two decades in horticulture, he doesn’t point to a university lecture theatre.
Instead, he credits the growers and colleagues who have taught him along the way.
“I’ve had a good career in horticulture, and I’m very grateful to the industry,” says Harris. “That’s where I’ve got my knowledge from, the growers and colleagues that I’ve worked with.
That practical, hands-on approach has now brought Harris to Sipcam New Zealand, where he has joined the company as Territory Manager for the Upper South Island and West Coast. Based in Nelson, he will support growers across one of the country’s key horticultural regions.
Harris’ connection with the primary sector stretches back much further than his professional career.
With family ties to dairy farming in Golden Bay, he grew up around agriculture and horticulture, picking boysenberries and helping harvest potatoes and onions as a youngster.
His route into the industry was not a conventional one.
After leaving school unsure of what career path to follow, Harris completed automotive training and worked as a welder at the Honda car factory before redundancy prompted a change in direction.
A job in cucumber glasshouses followed, before eventually leading to a role as field rep with T&G.
Between 2005 and 2010, Harris worked closely with pipfruit growers, helping source fruit for export markets, assessing fruit quality, providing technical advice and promoting varieties including Jazz and Envy apples.
Apples have remained the primary crop focus throughout much of his career, although he has worked with kiwifruit, hop, pear and grape growers too.
In 2010, he joined TasmanCrop, part of the Horticentre Group, where he spent the next 16 years progressing through a range of technical and leadership positions.
His roles included technical field representative, regional manager and, most recently, national agrichemical manager.
Alongside his professional development, Harris has continued studying throughout his career, completing diplomas in horticulture and business leadership and management, and is currently studying applied business management through Open Polytechnic.
Looking ahead, he sees a positive future for New Zealand horticulture.
“I think it’s in a good place. Returns are pretty good, it’s very positive,” he says.
One of horticulture’s strengths is its willingness to evolve.
“The apple industry doesn’t stand still. It’s always looking for change and innovation,” he says. “It’s a good industry for young people to get into, as is horticulture in general.”
Outside work, Harris has a different obsession altogether.
“Most growers know that I am very passionate about hunting and fishing!” he says.
David MacGibbon, Chief Executive of Sipcam NZ, says Harris is a great addition to the team.
“Gavin brings extensive industry experience gained across technical, commercial and leadership roles with ENZA, TasmanCrop and the Horticentre Group, along with a long-standing reputation for building strong customer relationships.
“His practical understanding of growers' needs, combined with his broad crop protection and horticultural expertise, will further strengthen Sipcam's ability to support customers across one of our most important growing regions.”