56 | Grower packing a punch Kaiaponi Orchards has 90 hectares dedicated to apples, 38 hectares of gold kiwifruit, and around eight hectares of feijoas. Kaiaponi Orchards T T Karen Phelps REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Fruit grower Kaiaponi Farms is a privately owned family values-based operation that packs punch when it comes to supplying fruit to the market, says general manager Scott Wilson. Based in the Tairāwhiti Gisborne region Kaiaponi’s story started in 1907, when the land was used for cropping. Over the years it has grown many fruits and vegetables and today is a leading grower of apples, feijoas and gold kiwifruit with 90 hectares dedicated to apples, 38 hectares of gold kiwifruit, and around eight hectares of feijoas. With regards to citrus Kaiaponi provides management services and lease arrangements. The company not only grows its own fruit but also for other growing partners. Scott says that Kaiaponi’s first-hand experience is a vital aspect of its success, allowing it to build significant knowledge assisting on-going improvement of growing practices to produce fruit of the highest quality. Collaboration is at the heart of its approach to result in market leading returns for growers. The team in-house team supports growing partners across a multitude of areas including technical advice, orchard monitoring and compliance, growing events and labour with an in-house labour force to support its growers’ existing workforce. Kaiaponi -KPACK also packs fruit - apples, citrus and feijoas – operating the latest fruit packing technology. Its services in this area encompass coolstores powered by natural refrigerants with the latest temperature, humidity, and atmospheric controlling technology ensuring that fruit remains at its best. Logistics services see the team work with leading third party domestic and international exporters & freight providers. Fruit can be packed into a variety of packaging types to meet the needs of our customers. Options include recyclable cardboard boxes, reusable crates, and compostable pre-pack bags. Sustainability is at the heart of Kaiaponi. Scott says that it aims to use water wisely, which has seen Kaiaponi progress a number of initiatives including focused irrigation, aquifer recharge trial support and water storage dams. Using natural refrigerants in the coolstores helps to minimise energy consumption. “Kaiaponi is committed to treating our environment gently and in a balanced approach. We live by the land so it’s important we appreciate the importance of doing things right,” says Scott. He says there are always good opportunities for people to join the Kaiaponi team. “Experience is not essential, what’s more important is a positive and hardworking attitude. We have a diverse range of jobs, excellent working conditions and worker accommodation all in a region, which provides a great lifestyle.” According to Scott sustainable growth has always been central to its ethos, demonstrated in the past by its early investment in new varieties such as gold kiwifruit. It has participated in designated grower trial blocks and continues to invest in green and efficient post-harvest technology to stay ahead of the game. More recently the business has been investing in its post-harvest facilities. “Today, we grow the best varieties to meet market demand and have the best technology to pack and distribute our own and our grower suppliers fruit,” says Scott. “But even with our strengths we’re not resting on our laurels. We will continually evolve, invest, redevelop and strengthen the right partnerships to continue our growth into the future.” Pleased to support KaiaponiOrchards 021 246 2051 sales@erl.net.nz
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