Motueka-based horticultural consultant Paige van Vught is helping grow both crops and community as the newly-elected secretary of the Tasman Valley Young Farmers Club. Photo: Eloise Martyn.
Since joining the Tasman Valley Young Farmers in March this year, 27-year-old Paige van Vught has quickly become a friendly and enthusiastic face in the club.
Originally from a dairy farm in North Waikato, Paige moved to Tasman in 2022, keen for a change of scenery and a fresh challenge in the South Island.
After completing a degree in Agricultural Science at Massey University, Paige entered the horticulture sector through the kiwifruit industry. Now based in Motueka, she works as a horticultural consultant with AgFirst, focusing on both kiwifruit and pipfruit.
Over the past three years, Paige has helped growers with crop management, problem-solving, and maturity testing—an important process to determine when kiwifruit are ready for harvest. She has also recently taken on the role of KVH (Kiwifruit Vine Health) Regional Coordinator for Nelson, making her the local point of contact for the kiwifruit biosecurity network in the region.
“Being ex-dairy, I love learning about what others do in the hort and farming world and there is a real mix of industries in the Young Farmers club” says Paige. “For me, it’s been an awesome way to make new friends and connect with younger people in the region.”
The Tasman Valley Young Farmers Club, which meets monthly at the Wakefield Pub, has been steadily growing in numbers. It brings together a great mix of horticulture professionals, farmers, and rural young people — not all of whom are directly on farm — and offers the opportunity to connect with others who often work in isolation and face daily challenges that only those in the industry truly understand.
Paige was recently elected club secretary and is enthusiastic about giving back to the group. “Everyone’s been so welcoming, and taking on the secretary role has been a great way to get more involved. It’s a lot of fun, and we always make time for extra social catchups.”
The club will be at the Nelson A&P Show in November, which will be a great opportunity for anyone curious about the group to come and see what Tasman Valley Young Farmers is about.
