Gisborne’s talented vineyard pruners competed early this week to determine the best in the region, celebrating skills, teamwork and friendly rivalry at the annual Gisborne Silver Secateur Awards, held at Ashwood Estate Racecourse.
The event drew more than 45 entrants from vineyards across the region, each eager to showcase their precision and expertise on the vines.
Organised and coordinated by our Viticulture Manager, Kyle Mason, in association with Gisborne Winegrowers Committee, the awards offered local pruners a unique opportunity to test their skills against their peers in a spirited atmosphere.
“Pruning plays the most important role in the vineyard. A great pruner goes a long way to determining the vineyard’s yield and sets the vine up for the coming seasons,” Mason said.
“The competition has been a Gisborne tradition for more than 30 years and is always a popular fixture on the viticulture calendar.”
Throughout the afternoon, competitors tackled a series of activities designed to test their abilities in pruning, stripping, wrapping, and tying Sauvignon Blanc vines. A panel of experienced judges assessed the contestants for quality of work, cane selection, and speed, with everyone striving to balance accuracy with efficiency.
Beyond the competition itself, the event was a chance for the Gisborne Winegrowers to acknowledge the dedication and expertise of their teams.
“The Awards are a great opportunity to thank pruners for their hard work and give them a moment in the spotlight. There’s always some friendly rivalry, but in the end, everyone enjoys coming together to celebrate at the prizegiving with family and friends,” he says.
Winners of the 2025 Gisborne Silver Secateur Awards
- Individual Full Prune Champion: Tusitala Lomitusi, LeaderBrand (pictured, left)
- Team Champions: LeaderBrand
- Women’s Champion: Kiri Aupouri, Thompsons Horticulture
- Novice Wrapping (first year pruner): Peter Taripu, LeaderBrand
- Champion Wrapping: Oti Faaletonuga Timo, LeaderBrand
