44 | Bostock T T Sue Russell Organics pioneer harvesting gains John Bostock: “It’s a great industry and part of New Zealand to live and work in.” 0800 436 723 | waterforce.co.nz PROUD TO SUPPORT LOCAL GROWERS. WaterForce provides industry-leading knowledge, technical expertise and experience. Working with our local growers, we provide integrated water management solutions to make your land more productive and sustainable. For the latest, most experienced advice and 24/7 after-sales support, contact us. Your local WaterForce Hastings branch 06 870 7181 or visit waterforce.co.nz IRRIGATION PUMPING WATER MEASUREMENT WATER FILTRATION SERVICES “We’ve matched our organic supply to the market and we also support the sales of produce from conventional growers.” In 1996, when Hawke’s Bay grower John Bostock transitioned his horticulture business to organics, it was, he says, very much led by his late-wife Vicky’s driving passion to grow healthy fruit and vegetables as nature intended. “She was always concerned about the quality of food our family ate and the impact chemicals and more mainstream growing practices had on the environment, so we led the charge toward organic production at a large-scale,” says John. Acknowledging that at this time many thought he had transitioned into being a hippy, John persevered and today, Bostock produces the largest crop of organically grown apples in the Southern Hemisphere. “We didn’t have much support back then from NZ Apple & Pear Board who believed that there was little interest in the market for organics. So we got a bit political, hired some scientists and took the message to Parliament, real pioneering stuff!” Having discovered there was an organic apple growing process and working closely with BioGro, John acknowledges in those early days many mistakes were made. “But, we found some amazing markets and eventually got consent from Apple & Pear to ship organic.” Today, Bostock owns and leases significant tracts of land all around Hawke’s Bay — all up amounting to 2000ha (5000 acres). The vertically integrated business controls all parts of the growing, picking, storage and marketing of their apples to places all over the world. “Now they can’t get enough pure organic product. It’s considered a premium, so it’s interesting how a few decades down the track, things have turned on their head,” he says. And it hasn’t all be smooth-sailing by a long measure as John recalls the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle, just over three years ago, which decimated a substantial footprint of land and infrastructure. He says those gritty years pioneering organics and an attitude of ‘fixing what you can fix and not focussing too much on the other’, has seen him and the team fully recover the operation, albeit with some changes in what is produced and where. “Things are going really well now and we’ve enjoyed two really good seasons. We’ve matched our organic supply to the market and we also support the sales of produce from conventional growers.” Setting up six overseas offices around the world with Bostock people has been the culmination of these efforts. “We’ve built a business structure that taps well into those markets where organics are sought and valued. That’s really future-proofed our operation going forward.” And recently, all John’s journey and hard work into strengthening horticulture in the region has been recognised receiving at this year’s Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector Awards, the coveted ‘Primary Sector Industry Leader Award’, held at a gala event on 2 April. The award, deservedly recognising the decades John has supported innovation, modelled leadership and stoically enabled the sector to grow through the ups and downs, is something he’s proud to have received and is humble about. “It’s a great industry and part of New Zealand to live and work in. “My three grown sons are all connected one way or another with our business and carry the passion needed to advance the sector further, meeting new challenges and finding new opportunities along the way. For me that’s great.” In other great news, innovation never stops, as John shares breaking news that an exciting new apple variety called Lumi, will soon be entering the export market. “It’s easily the most exciting apple in a generation — crunchy, sweet and red, a real game-changer.” Bostock’s commitment to the sector doesn’t end with what it produces either. Supportive links to Pacific Island nations have grown strong through the long-standing practice of receiving RSE workers to assist in the harvesting and processing of fruit and vegetables it grows. “We have a huge number of RSE’s that come. The RSE scheme is the best form of aid New Zealand can give to island people. We’re also part of the Fair Trade USA scheme where we provide a substantial amount of well-being support, like dentistry, hearing and sight clinics.” John sums up what motivates him and gives him the boundless energy he has for the sector. “I simply want to be a force for good through our business, providing premium food for overseas people and for New Zealand’s domestic market and at the same time always adding value,” he says. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=