42 | Hawke’s Bay: Moffetts Orchard T T Sue Russell True grit comes to fore in rebuild At $200,000 to replace one hectare of apples, re-establishing the once pristine orchard will be a long, hard slog for the Moffett family. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Jonty Moffett says the only way to approach getting through the destruction caused by Cyclone Gabrielle across its apple orchards and packhouse facilities inland from Napier, along Korokipo Road, was to take control of the rebuild, providing staff with the opportunity to continue to work during what was a pretty desperate time for all. “We came up with a plan to do the rebuild because we couldn’t rely on contractors given the situation through the region. Some of our team have been with us for 20 plus years and we wanted to find a way to give them meaningful work while rebuilding, so we brought a 14 tonne digger which has done 1600 hours since the flooding,” Jonty explains. Fortunately the opportunity to lease another orchard provided a way to maintain a supply of fruit to valued customers. “That was our biggest concern, losing customers. We did all sorts of business to keep product going to our customers. Woolworths have been really amazing support and so has the bank.” The numbers are mind-boggling to consider when starting to plan for re-establishment of pristine orchards. At $200,000 to replace one hectare of apple trees, recovery will be a long painful process, calling for grit and optimism common among the horticulture sector. Three weeks after the flood, power was finally restored to the packhouse. Losses incurred included the administration block, staff accommodation of three houses. Supporting packhouse and orchard staff to learn basic building skills has created a building crew. “Still there’s at least two year of construction work ahead of us. We plan to continue on with a building team after the work is completed. We’ve also managed to lease some blocks so there is work for our team from the Pacific Islands who are with us for six months at a time.” A positive was to see the level of kiwi grit and ingenuity that came to the fore; what Jonty calls the real Kiwi pioneering spirit. He holds strong opinions on where the region is most vulnerable. “The metal build up in the rivers is a massive issue that is still there. I have no idea what is happening with our stopbanks. When you consider how important horticulture is to this region something has to be seriously done to future-proof the sector.” Moffets Orchards is very much a family-focussed business, whose history dates back a generation to when Jonty’s father Jonathan Moffett emigrated to Hawke’s Bay from Northern Ireland. Not long after arriving here Jonathan met and married Christine and leased their first block of peaches in 1968. Four children followed, today taking up various roles in the business. Jonathan spent several years on the NZ Apple & Pear Marketing Board, while continuing to grow the orchard, ultimately shifting focus to growing, packing and marketing their own apples. Today the orchards extend over 230ha. Since 1982 Jonathan has been chairman of Fruitpackers (HB) Cooperative Ltd, with the Moffett family the largest shareholder. In 1997 Jonathan and oldest son Jonty established Moffett Orchards Ltd. Brothers Joe and Sean work in the business as well, with Joe managing marketing and packhouse activity and Sean taking care of the company’s cropping activity. Always with an eye for opportunity, in 2003 the decision was made to diversify into growing Rock Melon and Watermelon, though applies remain the core orchard product at 90% of total production. Though its pretty tough times at the moment Jonty says the business will get through. “We’re all focussed on doing what we have to now to build on from the devastation and I have no doubt we will get there in time.” For all your specialised • Tractor repairs & modifications • New & used parts • A Bare - Co stockist • Diesel engine servicing • Engineering needs • Call out service available puketaputractors@xtra.co.nz • Phone 844 4191 • 027 221 2430 Wanted to Buy: Tractors suitable for wrecking
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