| 83 “Under the original agreement with our partners, their financial involvement would cease after 21 years. It’s been a very good way for us to come into full ownership and responsibility for the orchard.” Norm Carter receiving the Ahuwhenua Trophy from Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy. Hineora Orchard HORTICULTURE “We have enjoyed an excellent relationship with our joint venture partners, and have received very good advice, which we have implemented to ensure the land is cared for in a way that reflects our values.” Norm also says that he feels the Trust’s efforts to engage with the community to create jobs in the district was something the judges saw happening in a really visible way. On the production side, he says improving microbiological activity has been key to production growth and quality of fruit picked. This has been achieved by engaging with Total Fert, a company that regularly tests the soil profile before advising what specific nutrients to apply. In fact, as Norm points out, the current natural/organic approaches they adopt in the preservation of the soil are, in principle, the same as his forebears used. “They would use old food scraps, leaves and other garden and crop waste to put back into the soil to help it regenerate, so we are just reflecting this value in our modern context, with all the science that sits behind it.” They have also implemented a new regime of pruning, as used in the Far North. “That is in its third year now and we are seeing a steady growth in the number of trays produced each season.” And from a future perspective Norm says that the award has really put Hineora Orchard on the map and he hopes, in time, it will encourage whanau, many of whom are based in Perth, to come home, knowing there will be productive employment opportunities for them back on the east coast. The Kiwifruit spraying business. Te Kaha Gold Sprayers, employs 20 full-time staff and 10 part-time staff, and with new orchards being established in both Te Kaha and Raukokore, this is set to grow exponentially. In addition Te Kaha 15B, Hineora Orchard (along with other TKG Trusts), was instrumental in establishing a pilot nursery, which was successful enough to lead to the establishment of a newer larger nursery, through the Provincial Growth Fund. This is currently under construction and employs around 10 staff fulltime. This is set to grow, with a laboratory also being established. With Hineora Orchard operating pretty well at maximum production Norm says the interest of the Trust is turning toward creating new ways to support the community. “We purchased a small holiday park for our shareholders to have some rest and relaxation; somewhere to come home to, from wherever they live.” The Trust’s desire to see worthwhile employment created for their whanau is exhibited in really practical ways. To encourage young people to upskill the Trust pays $100 per day to those willing to work toward attaining Level 3 and 4 NZQA qualifications in orcharding and associated skills. Since 2010, they have trained over 60 people to Level 4, with a dozen having attained Level 4 advanced qualifications. “We have been able to uplift the community,” says Norm. “We see it in the looks on the faces of the old people, the young people, the workers; everyone is very proud of what has been created.” Essential Connections Limited specialises in directional drilling, underground thrusting, trenching & excavating for the installation of underground services. We congratulate Te Kaha 15B Hineora Orchard on winning the Ahu Whenua Cup for 2020 Our services Directional Drilling Thrusting Cable Location Trenching & Excavating Mole Ploughing Site Works & Clearing Machinery Transportation Underground Utilities Power, Gas, Comms/Fibre Water & Drainage Subdivisions & New Builds Lifestyle Blocks/Orchards Irrigation Driveway/Road Crossings (07) 574 0422 | nfoessentalconnectonsconz 17/23 Tukorako Drve, Mt Maunganu 3116 wwwessentalconnectonsconz | wwwfacebookcom/eclcvl Locally owned by Rongo Puha, Drector - (027) 576 7964 (Te Whanau a Apanu / Ngat Porou) Steve Puha, Operatons Manager - (027) 722 8554 Growing and packing great kiwifruit since 1987 PROUD PARTNERS OF Te Kaha 15b Hineora Orchard Visit opac.co.nz to find out more
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