Mike Chapman, until recently chief executive of Horticulture New Zealand, has won the Bledisloe Cup for significant services to horticulture for more than 20 years.
Chapman's advocacy for the horticultural industry had been untiring, forceful, and balanced, HortNZ President, Barry O'Neil said.
"Mike always acts with the aim of achieving the best outcomes for growers and orchardists, and indeed, the New Zealand economy and health of its people through access to nutritious, locally grown food.
"Mike has firmly stood for growers on key issues such as protecting elite soils, ensuring growers maintain their social license to grow and, hand in hand with that, ensuring growers remain economically viable in a fast-changing environment," O'Neil said.
Chapman's career in the horticulture industry spanned more than 20 years, during which he was a leader, advocate, lobbyist and enthusiast for the industry.