The Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture (RNZIH) has recognised local Ashburton District Council Open Spaces Manager Ian Soper as a new Fellow.

The RNZIH recognises members as a Fellow who have made a significant contribution to horticulture by their activities, interest in, or service to horticulture.

Community Services Group Manager Steve Fabish says, "I am thrilled to see Ian's lifelong contribution to New Zealand nursery and amenity horticulture recognised, by being awarded a Fellow of the RNZIH. The Ashburton District is already seeing great results from Ian's skills since being in the role of Open Spaces Manager."

Before joining Ashburton District Council in 2021, Ian Soper spent 16 years as Parks and Recreation Manager for Gore District Council. Prior to Gore he worked in Nelson for Sicon as Horticultural Manager, delivering amenity horticultural maintenance to Tasman District and Nelson City Councils.

While managing his own business Ian maintained high-profile horticulture spaces in Otago such as Olveston, Dunedin Teachers College, Carrington Residential College. Ian also worked for Dunedin City Council.

Since starting his horticulture career as an apprentice at Wallis's Nurseries (East Taieri, Mosgiel) Ian has always valued providing quality places and spaces for the communities he serves. He supports training initiatives and advocates for employers to train apprentices. This was evident at Sicon, Gore District Council, and now ongoing with new apprentices at Ashburton.

Ian says that growing our own future gardeners and horticulturists is the way to go. He is a dual assessor for the Sports Turf Industry Training Organisation and Primary Industry Training Organisation - Horticulture.

Several organisations have gained from Ian's wealth of knowledge and experience, namely NZ Recreation Association (now Recreation Aotearoa) where Ian was the Otago/Southland Regional Branch Chair and the NZ Park Agencies Managers Group (now Park Leaders Forum) where Ian was a foundation member and is current Chair of Finance.

Ian has held a strong connection for more than 15 years with the NZ Gardens Trust, having two registered gardens in Gore, and now has aspirations with the NZGT for registering Ashburton gardens. Ian Soper has been an RNZIH member (via the NZGT) since 2006.