HORTICULTURE
Riding the hop cycle
For more than 150 years, New Zealand’s hop industry has weathered peaks and troughs, but the craft beer revolution drove an expansion unlike anything before it. Words Anne Hardie, Photos Tim Cuff.
A family growing in citrus
Second-generation growers, Harry and Annie Fraser, are optimising production systems on their 16.7ha Mākaraka orchard, focusing on high-quality citrus yields while diversifying revenue streams to ensure long-term commercial viability in a volatile market. Words Kim Parkinson.
HortNZ warns policy settings threaten food security
HortNZ chief executive Kate Scott says horticulture is one of NZ's fastest-growing primary industries, but current policy settings don't favour future food security. Words Kate Scott.
Positioned for options
Through a century of challenges, including droughts, floods, wars, economic upheavals and shifting consumer tastes, the Webb family has steadfastly remained on their orchard near Cromwell. For them to continue to grow fruit in the same location they face a new generation of challenges including urban sprawl and succession. Words & photos Sarah Perriam-Lampp.
Who is investing in NZ Horticulture?
New Zealand-funded investment in horticulture has been on the rise. Off-shore capital will be needed though to reach big export growth goals. Words Andrew Watters.
Diversifying to come home
The Rainey’s, at Mangaweka Asparagus, is a story of reinvention and determination. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Photos Brad Hanson.
Nurturing the next generation
If New Zealand’s horticulture sector is to thrive into the future, it must invest in one of the most valuable resources – people, and in particular, young people. Words Sharon Williamson.
Iwi-to-Village Connections
Five Fijian ratus (chiefs) recently attended a special ceremony in Matapihi to celebrate the Ngāi Tukairangi Trust relationship with their villages’ Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers. Words Carly Gibbs, Photos John Cowpland.
Growing Into Growers
After many years of working with fresh produce, South Auckland’s Peter and Michelle Pan decided to grow fruit and vegetables commercially. Words Helena O’Neill, Photos Alan Gibson & Cristy Benson.
Ataahua Blooms
Staring at Pancake the pony’s paddock with two uninterested children, Kimbolton farmer Gemma McDougall threw in her nursing career to convert the paddock and follow her heart towards her flower farm dream. Words Rebecca Greaves, Photos Sarah Horrocks.