Ongare Point, New Zealand – GOLD

As a horticultural consultant on assignment in the Bay of Plenty, Phillipa fell in love with the kiwifruit region and then a kiwifruit grower. Together they now manage a busy GOLD Kiwifruit orchard and have raised three boys along the way.

“Our life on the orchard provides a wonderful experience for the boys. They live in a community focussed on harnessing the goodness of the land, so have a healthy respect for nature. Whilst they enjoy the outdoor lifestyle, they also know the hard work that comes with the kiwifruit harvest and are a great help throughout the season.”

Phillipa and Stephen are innovative kiwifruit growers, firmly focussed on excellence and sustainability; not just for their own orchard but for the kiwifruit industry as a whole. They share their knowledge with numerous growers via one-on-one discussions, GOLD Kiwifruit interest groups and industry forums, hosting many of them on their orchard.

They realize that the future of the industry lies in producing consistently high-quality and great-tasting kiwifruit for the export markets. Their approach is a well-balanced blend of commercial reality and sustainable production, ensuring that they produce the best GOLD Kiwifruit whilst looking after the land and the vines for the future.

The increasing popularity of GOLD Kiwifruit excites them. As a result of the increased demand, they expect to double their orchard volume over last year. Phillipa and Stephen are also looking to plant new kiwifruit varieties as they are released to the industry. The opportunity to share their experience of growing a new variety of kiwifruit with other growers will certainly ensure the New Zealand kiwifruit industry continues to thrive and grow.