Vine pruners find contest rivalry fruitful

SNIP: Phim Wannaphirun of Martinborough competes at the Silver Secateurs Competition, at Te Kairanga vineyard in Martinborough. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

The region's finest grape vine pruners had the chance to show off their skills on Tuesday at the Wairarapa Silver Secateurs pruning competition.

Competitors were judged on speed, quality of work and tidiness at the event, which took place at Te Kairanga Estate in Martinborough.

Event organiser Dave Shepherd said the event, which had been running for 20 years, was focused on improving quality and getting the best out of the region's pruners.

"Pruning is the number one job of the season because it's about half of the cost of labour, and if you don't do it right you're on the back foot for the rest of the season."

The day consisted of five heats, which were wrapping vines, novice, women only, an open event for everyone to take part in and a teams event.

Mr Shepherd said the winner would take home about $200 worth of goods that had been donated by the Wairarapa Winegrowers Association.

John Douglas, one of the timekeepers and judges, said vine pruning was hard work and it was good to recognise the effort people put into it.

"It's fun and puts pressure on people to do it faster then they usually would."

He said competitors had to find a fine balance between quality and speed in order to get a good score.

They had to be fast to receive a good score but not too fast that it jeopardised the quality of the vine.

"The thing you notice is how good the pruners really are. It's about good quality and it's good to recognise that."

Competitors included people from Italy, Argentina, Germany, France, Thailand and locals from the region.