Business North July / August 2021

We offer flexibility and solutions to suit individual landowners' and investors' needs. Give us a call today if you are interested in discussing a tailored solution for your avocado investment. Nathan Darling - GM Avoworks I 027 278 7714 I nathan@avoworks.co.nz Andrew Cutfield - GM Investor Relations and Supply I 027 472 9490 I andrewc@darlinggroup.co .n z avoworks.co.nz The specialists in avocado orchard development andmanagement. Plenty of potential for NZ’s Avocado sector Both Nathan Darling and Andrew Cut ield agree the avocado growing sector is in a really positive space with plenty of potential for further growth, as new areas in New Zealand open up to growing the amazing fruit. As General Manager of Avoworks Nathan took over running the then family-owned business in 2018 and along with Andrew, General Manager of Investor Relations and Supply for parent company Darling Group, is taking the business to a new level of engagement with the sector. Avoworks o ers a broad range of specialist services to owner-growers as well as leasing, establishing and managing day to day orcharding operations in the Bay of Plenty and Far North. More recently, service has been added in Coromandel, Kaipara Harbour, and Northland. For evidence of growth in demand for their services, look no further than the size of the team that nowwork for the company. “We now employ 60+ sta , with a range of skills and disciplines and we’ve worked hard to developmanagement practices that focus on grower outcome and pro itability. We have a very lexible approach and we encourage growers to get as involved as they wish,” says Nathan. In all, Avoworks manages over 200 hectares of orchards in equity partner arrangements and is continuing to develop and expand these as opportunity presents. Along with Avoworks, Darling Group also comprises JH Leavy & Co, a Brisbane-based produce handler and distributer; Zeafruit, a domestic NZ marketer of avocados and citrus; and Just Avocados, an avocado packhouse in the Bay of Plenty. Part of Andrew’s role is overseeing the work of Just Avocados’ grower services and technical consultant teams that engage with orchard owners. “We’re there to improve their return, through providing solid professional support at every level they wish to engage,” says Andrew. He believes there is potential for a lot more engagement to occur, especially as wider access to water for areas traditionally engaged in dry stock and dairy farming opens up. “The irst step in engagement is about understanding what a particular site is capable of growing and then to discuss the motives of the land-owners. This will vary for each entity and we will look to assist them in achieving their ideal land use goals.” “We’re very focussed on doing well by our growers and focussing on technology to achieve this,” says Andrew. Introducing soil moisture monitoring irrigation scheduling is just one example of applying latest smart tech into enhancing orchard outcomes. “Giving the plants foliar fertigation applications of essential nutrients, with the key rationale of increasing availability to plants while reducing the impact of ground water, is just one way we’re achieving further gains. We have a duty of care to use water as judiciously as possible,” says Nathan. Historically, Avoworks focussed on avocado harvesting and pruning, however these days it’s involved with anything and everything to do with growing kiwifruit and blueberries as well. Andrew knows how important Avoworks’ contribution to the horticulture sector is. “We just want to see this really vital and engaging sector thrive and we’re there to help growers in a way we can to achieve their potential.”