Upper Hutt Food Week - Pumpkin Growing competition

How to Enter and Stay Informed

Ready to start? Register now to secure your entry and stay in the loop for contest updates. Registration is free, and all entries must be registered online or in person when you get  your seedlings. Get growing and join the fun!

Key Dates to Remember

• Planting Season: October to December – the perfect time to get your seeds in the soil!

• The Big Weigh-In: To be held at Greenstone doors, check in here later to find out exactly when.

Categories to Triumph

• Heaviest Pumpkin: Go big or go home—this category is for the giants!

• Tiniest Pumpkin: Small but mighty, this category celebrates the cutest, tiniest gourds.

• Ugliest Pumpkin: Beauty isn’t everything—quirky, bumpy, and lopsided pumpkins have their time to shine here.

• Prettiest Pumpkin: Elegance on display! Whether it’s smooth, symmetrical, or perfectly coloured, this one’s for the beauties.

• Most Spectacular Shape: For pumpkins that have grown into fascinating twists, curves, or unexpected angles.

• Green Thumb Rookie of the Year: A special award for first-time growers who impress with their enthusiasm and efforts, regardless of the final pumpkin size. Eligible for under 16 year olds only.

• Best Pumpkin Patch Photo: Submit your best photo of your pumpkin in its growing habitat to add a storytelling element to the contest.

• Best Pumpkin Patch Photo for Groups: Submit your best photo of your pumpkin in its growing habitat to add a storytelling element to the contest.  This is the category for schools to compete in!

Prizes

Winners in each category will receive a prize or certificate and of course. Bragging rights.

Why We Do It

This isn’t just about pumpkins — it’s about fun, community spirit, and coming together to make a difference. Register now, plant your seeds, and get ready to showcase your best pumpkin in March!

Let’s grow something amazing — together

Contest T&Cs

Terms & Conditions

• Eligibility

  • Entry is open to all ages, and registration is required to participate. No purchase is necessary to enter.

• Registration

  • All entries must be registered online or on the registration forms when you collect your seedlings. Only registered pumpkins will be eligible.

• Pumpkin Guidelines

  • Any type of pumpkin is welcome in the contest. For those aiming to grow the biggest pumpkin, we recommend the Atlantic Giant or Behemoth Giant varieties.

  • The pumpkin must be grown by the entrant and maintained by them throughout the growing period.

• Weigh-In Day

  • INFORMATION TO BE UPDATED closer to the time when date is decided.

• Categories and Judging

  • Judging will be based on the category criteria, as decided by the appointed judges. All judging decisions are final.

• Prizes

  • Prizes will be awarded for each category and are non-transferable. Prizes may include gift cards, certificates, and other items. Specific prizes will be announced on the contest day.
    
    

• Community Spirit

  • This contest is all about fun, community spirit, and bringing everyone together for a light-hearted challenge! Let’s keep it friendly and supportive.
    
    

• Promotion and Publicity

  • By participating, entrants consent to Supporting partners using images or videos of their pumpkins for promotional purposes on social media and other marketing materials.

• Disqualification

  • We reserve the right to disqualify any entrant who fails to adhere to the terms and conditions or engages in unsportsmanlike conduct.

• Liability

• We are  not responsible for any damages or injuries related to growing, transporting, or presenting the pumpkins.

• Amendments

• We reserve the right to modify or cancel the contest at any time. Any updates will be communicated to registered entrants.