Thank you: the sponsors behind Young Landscaper of the Year 2026

Thank you: the sponsors behind Young Landscaper of the Year 2026

Ten stations, a busy public trade area and a prize haul to match. Here is who made it happen.

The Christchurch Botanic Gardens were busy from the 8.30am start on Saturday 19 September. All ten stations ran at once, visitors moved between them throughout the day, and the trade and supplier stands gave the public another way to explore the industry, with games and prizes for the children along the way. Every part of it was backed by a business or training provider that chose to invest in the next generation.

The station partners

Each station was supported by a business from across the industry, each testing a different skill.

01 Machinery Operation: Norwood
02 Trailer & Tools: STIHL
03 Soft Landscape Setout: Elliotts
04 Lawn Installation: Readylawn Industries
05 Profile Setout: DEWALT
06 Design: Playground Centre
07 Irrigation Set Up: Wetta
08 Plant Identification: Kiwiflora
09 Paving: Firth
10 Hardscape Construction: One Stop Deck Shop
Finalist Speeches: Straightcurve
Estimating Test: Site Safe

What the winner took home

Connor Sullivan’s winner prizes were valued at more than $7,300:

Geely NZ: use of a Riddara RD6 electric ute through October ($1,000)
STIHL: MSA 160 battery chainsaw kit ($1,018)
DEWALT: 305mm compound slide mitre saw ($1,549)
DEWALT: 54V cordless professional blower ($649)
Site Safe: Health & Safety in Construction Scholarship ($2,500)
Intelligro: $500 landscape supplies voucher
Primary ITO: $150 Prezzy Card

Each of the four Outstanding Achievement Awards also came with a STIHL ASA 20 battery pruning secateurs package ($405) and a Site Safe merchandise pack ($150).

The Kit Bag

Possibly the best one yet.

Every finalist went home with a Firth Young Landscaper bag, and by the time they had unpacked it they had four caps, three bucket hats and a hat for every kind of weather. Here is what was inside.

To wear: Firth tee, cap and bucket hat; Mitre 10 cap and socks; STIHL bucket hat and flip-flops; Playground Centre bucket hat; Straightcurve Young Landscaper of the Year cap; Invest Training Solutions cap; Carters jumper
To work with: Elliotts Ninja gloves and pruning blades; Dulux portable site light; Playground Centre cable tidy; Mitre 10 pens; a Firth pencil
To carry and cool: Bunnings Trade leather duffle bag; Firth Young Landscaper Bag, Mitre 10 chiller bag; Invest Training Solutions drink bottle
To enjoy: One Stop Deck Shop $100 Hunting & Fishing voucher and branded beer; Wetta $250 voucher; Primary ITO $100 Prezzy Card; Firth mints
To grow: A $1,000 personalised mentoring programme from Invest Training Solutions, plus Wetta training resources