About Awa Produce | Waikato Avocado Growers

It started with a crazy idea that got away on me

I wonder if I can grow avocados in the Waikato? 

The beefies had been taken away by the previous owner of the life-style block we had just purchased. I had no desire to be tied down looking after livestock. But, I do love eating avocados! And I have over 15 years experience as an agricultural agronomist/scientist born with green thumbs (thanks Dad). So, I planted 20 trees to see if they could handle the conditions and followed up the next season by planting the rest of the paddock out. 

Now, I had 70 trees and had run out of space!  A block of land came up for sale down the road and it was all go. By this stage the home trees were five years old and flourishing. Fast forward to now and we have a developing orchard of 600+ avocado and citrus trees. 

It's time to start sharing the fruits of the land and my labour ... delicious produce handled with care to ensure great taste and quality.

Sustainable Growing Practices

Everyone has a different take on what this means. I take my lead from what's in front of me. Historically, this whenua (land) was part of the Southern Hemisphere's largest market garden that stretched for 15km along the Waikato awa (river). The free draining alluvial soils suit avocados and citrus growing, but the soil structure can easily be destroyed by over-cultivation. Developing a healthy soil has been at the forefront for the orchard.

Our vision is to care for the land and support our local communities. We use regenerative planting between orchard trees to improve soil structure and enhance biodiversity. Natural mulching, responsible irrigation, regular soil testing to manage fertiliser inputs and limited chemical weed control are all part of the orchard management system. We grow our own, locally sourced, native trees and have restored a deep riparian margin along a bordering stream and also use native trees as part of our orchard shelter belts. We have observed a big increase in bird species and numbers during the establishment of the orchard and riparian plantings. Our latest project is predator control to protect the fauna and flora that are starting to establish and call the area their "home."   

Photo showing linseed flowering within the regenerative planting between the young avocado rows. A mix of sheep's burnett, phacelia, red and white clover, plantain and linseed is used to revitalize the soils.

Supporting Local Communities

Oho Mauri

Awa Produce supports local organisation, Oho Mauri, and their work with rangatahi (young people). Together we have planted and maintained hundreds of native trees at the orchard and nearby areas as part of their work experience programme. So good! 

Haakarimata Restoration Trust

We are active members and supporters of the Haakarimata Restoration Trust working to restore the Haakarimata Ranges that sit on the orchard's doorstep. If you would like to be part of this awesome group, visit their website and sign up to volunteer.  We might see you out there!