Aotearoa New Zealand is an island nation in the South Pacific, where warm summers and cool winters combine with early spring flowering and long, sunny days to produce fruit that ripens naturally.
Apples and pears thrive here, growing in the rich, fertile soils supported by a kind climate, clean air and growers who care and protect this precious land. And you can taste it all in the intense flavours and crisp, clean textures of our fruit.
The Heretaunga Plains in Hawke's Bay are fertile, sheltered, sun-filled, and home to New Zealand’s largest apple and pear growing region.
Here, growing conditions are perfect for producing the best apples in the world. With fresh air, clean water, and cool sea breezes, this region's apples and pears are as good as they get.
RJ Flowers Ltd, Twyford, Hawke's Bay
John, his wife Wendy and their family own and run two orchards covering 80 hectares, including land that’s been in the family since 1906.
"We feel really privileged to be doing something we love every day, on land that’s been in our family for generations."
Robbie McCormick is a bundle of energy – and he needs every ounce of it as Orchard Technical Manager at Mr Apple in Hawke’s Bay. If it grows, moves or breathes, he’s a part of it.
When it comes to growing the world's best apples, the Nelson Tasman District is where it is at. Endless sunshine and cool winters create the perfect micro-climate for growing apples and pears. This region has been growing apples for generations and knows what goes into making the juiciest, crispest and tastiest apples to devour.
Kono Horticulture Ltd, Tasman
"We want to make our orchards places where everything thrives – the land, the trees, the environment – and our people."
At 16, Karla Bradley left school and moved out of home. Her first job, in an orchard, was all about earning money to pay the bills. Necessity may have been the driver then, but today, Karla is the General Manager of Kono Horticulture, and her goals are on a whole different level.
The most stunning and extreme growing region is picturesque Central Otago.
Known for its ancient mountains, sun-drenched valley terraces and snow fed fast flowing rivers, this rugged landscape combines with cold, harsh winters and hot, dry summers to produce fruit with intense flavour. With an extensive history of growing families, Central Otago delivers premium quality apples to the world.
Darling Fruit, Ettrick, Central Otago
Growing up on an orchard in Central Otago, Stephen Darling said he would never become an orchardist. “It was too much hard work,” he says.
Yet the industry drew him in . . . and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Here I am, thoroughly enjoying fruit growing. I find it rewarding to see a crop go full cycle, from winter through to spring bud burst and summer harvest, as well as that full cycle from first planting and growth through to maturing for production and harvest, and the end result of fruit for selling.”
Tairāwhiti Gisborne is world-famous for its sunshine. The world’s first city to see the sun boasts an average of 2,219 bright sunshine hours per year, making it one of New Zealand’s sunniest regions. It is a land of blue seas, golden sands, rolling green hills, wide fertile plains, refreshing rain, endless summer sun, mild winters. With a famously good climate and fertile soils, Gisborne has all the elements to make it a food production powerhouse, where fruit thrives.
Our youngest and fastest growing region is South Canterbury.
With fertile plains fed by the iconic braided rivers that flow from the Southern Alps, South Canterbury is ideal for growing cold-climate apples. Cool nights and mild days are the sweet spot for growing the crunchiest, sweetest, flavour-filled fruit.
TIMARU, SOUTH CANTERBURY
M A Orchards planted the first orchard in 2012 and now have 5 separate orchards growing Honeycrisp apples for the North American export market. With a focus on producing the popular Honeycrisp apple for exporting to the market. General Manager, Morten Tonder xxx
RANGITATA, SOUTH CANTERBURY
Canterbury’s tiny apple industry is undergoing massive change, with pastoral and arable farmers adding apples into their mix and plans for new post-harvest facilities taking shape.
