It said that Waters was a passionate educator and well-known figure in the horticulture industry. 

He began his career thirty years ago working for Don Liddle at Liddle Wonder nursery in Waikanae in the school holidays. After leaving school, Waters worked full time with Liddle followed by roles in a number of well-known nurseries, including Twiglands in Wellington, G2 Ltd in Palmerston North and Container Nurseries Ltd in Auckland. 

In the late 90’s Waters moved to Tauranga and became crop manager for Omaio Nurseries where he developed a strong interest in pest management. In 2001, he established IPM Services Ltd, which provided pest and disease management services to local nurseries, garden retailers and flower growers. 

Waters was well known for his work in agrichemical training and certification, becoming accredited as a Growsafe trainer and EPA Test Certifier in 2003. He was highly respected for his extensive knowledge of pest and disease management and the rules and regulations covering hazardous substances. 

In 2009, he joined forces with Andrew and Fiona Boylan and between them grew IPM Services Ltd into a successful pest management business, working across the Bay of Plenty. IPM also grew to become one of the largest agrichemical training businesses in the country.

Education was Waters’ passion and he worked tirelessly with an astonishing schedule, delivering training courses across the country. It was not uncommon to receive a message from him in the early hours of the morning about some new information, or his latest idea.

He was involved in the development of many industry education programmes, in particular, the new horticulture apprenticeship and diploma qualifications which are due to be launched in 2018.

Waters was an active participant in the industry, with involvement in the NZ Nurseryman’s Association, Nursery and Garden Industry Association and NZ Plant Producers Inc. He was also a member of International Plant Propagators Society and had a strong association with a number of other industry groups.

NZPPI says that Waters will be sadly missed and its thoughts and wishes go out to his friends and family, his partner Erica, and to Brier, aged 18.

His funeral is on Saturday 16 December, Pyes Pa Cemetery Chapel, Tauranga. Flowers: Elliotts Funeral Services, 25 9th Ave, Tauranga.

Donations are asked to be sent to St Johns Tauranga: www.stjohn.org.nz. 

Source: NZPPI