The Latin words hortus (garden plant) and cultura (culture) together form horticulture, classically defined as the culture or growing of garden plants. Horticulturists work in plant propagation, crop production, plant breeding and genetic engineering, plant biochemistry, plant physiology, and the storage, processing, and transportation of fruits, berries, nuts, vegetables, flowers, trees, shrubs, and turf. They improve crop yield, quality, nutritional value, and resistance to insects, diseases, and environmental stresses. Genetics is also used as a valuable tool in the development of plants that can synthesize chemicals for fighting disease (including cancers).

Horticulture involves five areas of study. These areas are floriculture (includes production and marketing of floral crops), landscape horticulture (includes production, marketing and maintenance of landscape plants), olericulture (includes production and marketing of vegetables), pomology (includes production and marketing of fruits), and postharvest physiology (involves maintaining quality and preventing spoilage of horticultural crops).

Horticulturists can work in industry, government, or educational institutions. They can be cropping systems engineers, wholesale or retail business managers, propagators and tissue culture specialists (fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, and turf), crop inspectors, crop production advisors, extension specialists, plant breeders, research scientists, and of course, teachers.

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New Zealand Herald - National

Government urged to bail out timber mills
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:42:47 +1200
The Government is being urged by Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia to step in to save more timber mills from closure. "If the Government can save jobs in Air New Zealand, bail out the Bank of New Zealand, buy back the rail and...
Key 'out of control'...'had tantrum' during debate - Clark
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:43:27 +1200
Helen Clark laid into National leader John Key's performance in last night's head to head debate today saying it was lucky he didn't cry and accusing him of having a tantrum. "The fact he didn't burst out crying on the set probably...
Price of diesel falls 6c per litre at Shell
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:30:11 +1200
Shell dropped the price of diesel by 6 cents per litre today. Gull has also dropped its diesel price. The price of petrol remained unchanged. Shell said there continued to be a lot of instability in the New Zealand dollar,...
Hastings 'worst city in the country for drunk drivers'
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:03:53 +1200
A judge has labelled Hastings as the worst city in the country for drunk drivers. After a day in which he put four people behind bars for drunk driving, visiting Hastings District Court Judge Thomas Everitt said the city had the...
Jail for accountant who groomed girls for sex
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:54:38 +1200
An accountant who carried out an "unrelenting campaign of sexual grooming" of young girls has been jailed for nearly seven years. Michael Stuart Harris, 50, of Pyes Pa, 16km south of Tauranga, appeared for sentencing in Tauranga...
MP Dail Jones demoted on NZ First party list
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:18:48 +1200
New Zealand First MP Dail Jones has effectively been dumped by his party. Mr Jones has been ranked at number 14 on the party's list rankings, which were released this afternoon by the Chief Electoral Office. He only entered...
Crash closes Karangahake Gorge road
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:49:33 +1200
The Karangahake Gorge between Tauranga and Paeroa has been closed after a serious crash. A car and truck collided, spilling diesel on the road. One person was seriously injured and is being airlifted to hospital. - NEWSTALK...
Medal theft arrests a relief to families
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:00:00 +1200
The arrests of two men in relation to last year's theft of war medals from the Waiouru Army Museum have brought relief to relatives of the holders. A 37-year-old from Te Atatu Peninsula and a 39-year-old from Waimauku appeared...
National to direct 40pc of Super Fund to NZ
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:50:00 +1200
The National Party would change the law to direct the Super Fund to invest 40 per cent of its funds into New Zealand businesses, John Key announced today. The policy would see a greater amount invested into New Zealand and amend...
Labour to allow house building on Crown land
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:45:34 +1200
Helen Clark has announced a further prong to Labour's home affordability starter scheme. It involves making Crown land available for people to build starter homes. Dubbed the HOPE program (Home Ownership on the Public Estate),...
Homicide inquiry after victim of alleged park attack dies
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:19:09 +1200
Three people accused of a vicious assault in a Wairarapa park last week will face fresh charges in court today after their alleged victim died in hospital. Paul Richard Bernard Irons, 36, of Featherston, was being treated in Wellington...
Police use fatal crash to highlight texting dangers
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:11:25 +1200
Police are using a crash which killed teenage sisters to highlight an initiative to educate secondary school students about the dangers of texting while driving. The teaching aid, "A msg in Contxt", draws on the experiences...

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