Business Rural North Spring 2021

8 | RURAL PEOPLE » Maungatapere Berries Sustainability at Kim Newth S ince putting down roots in Northland in mid-2011, the Malley family have never wavered from their founding vision of ‘growing goodness’. Maungatapere Berries is a diversified horticulture operation with a low environmental impact and a reputation for producing outstanding berry fruit. Their fresh, sweet berries are grown sustainably with passion and innovation. Raspberries, blackber- ries and blueberries are grown hydroponically, along with solberries, a new variety they developed with a tropical flavour burst that goes down a treat. The family orchard also grows both green and gold kiwifruit for sale under the Zespri brand. The long harvest system they have developed supports a strong core team of permanent staff, supplemented with seasonal pickers. In 2019, Maungatapere Berries was recognised as a leader in sustainable environmental manage- ment with the family named Regional Supreme Winners of the Northland Ballance Farm Environ- ment Awards. Dermott and Linzi Malley first moved to Maun- gatapere in 2011, with son Patrick and his wife Rebecca joining them in early 2012. Within a few years, they decided to redevelop their avocado and kiwifruit orchard into a hydroponic berry and kiwifruit operation. Dermott and Linzi are long-time horticulturalists with extensive experience in the New Zealand apple, pear and summer fruit sectors, as well as ornamental nurseries, and recognised the potential for diversification at Maungatapere. As managing director, Dermott manages the compa- ny’s strategic and financial requirements as well as the hydroponic berry growing operation, while Linzi has a hands-on role as plant health director with responsibility for pest control and propagation. Their son and business co-founder Patrick takes care of the kiwifruit growing operation, berry harvesting, packhouse, sales and marketing, with Rebecca responsible for administration and staff support. He and Rebecca joined Dermott and Linzi on the orchard in 2012 and also ran a horticultural contracting and orchard management business and then began the transition into berries. The entire family lives on the orchard with the next generation of growers, Austin and Eloise, which is a pleasure for them all. From the very beginning, the Malleys have worked hard to ensure their berries are grown and packed with the lowest possible environmental im- pact. Their New Zealand-made packaging is made PHOTOS: Patrick Malley takes care of berry harvesting, the kiwifruit growing operation, packhouse and sales and marketing. from 100% recycled plastic. Insects, pests and diseases are controlled predominantly with natural, organic and biological controls. Only organic/bio- logically approved sprays are used when the plants are producing fruit. The Malley’s have been sourcing a lot of their horticulture machinery through Ballance Farm Environment Awards partner Norwood. Owen Mol- loy, Senior Sales Associate for Norwood Whangarei, says Norwood has supplied the Malleys with three self-propelled sprayers. “The sprayers have rate controllers and speed sensors which help them to accurately apply spray for the control of pests,” Owen says. The family also runs a multipurpose compact tractor, supplied by Norwood. “Kubota BX Series tractors have simple systems for attaching and detaching implements, so the Malleys can quickly switch from mowing to loading, to pulling a trailer. One machine doing the job of many is just better for the environment,” Owen adds. Taking care of the environment for future generations is a core priority. Riparian plantings of native trees around the orchard lake have been established to create a diverse habitat for local bird species. Throughout the orchard, comfrey has been planted under kiwifruit vines for biological pest con- trol and disease prevention and bee-friendly plants have also been widely planted. Rainwater collected from tunnel houses is stored for further use in their reservoir or fed into an un- derground aquifer that benefits the wider region (at an estimated rate of 78 million litres every year). Fruit is constantly monitored throughout every step of growing, picking, packing and freight, to ensure delivery of premium quality fruit, with strict hygiene controls also in place. Along with environmental stewardship, the family has a strong focus on social, economic and community sustainability and is committed to finding new areas for sustainable growth. Recently the Malley family, working with business partner and local grower Alan Worsfold, has established a hi-tech blueberry packing operation in Whangarei. Also, Maungatapere Berries is currently working with Ngapuhi Asset Holding Company and Far North Holdings Ltd to establish a 28 hectare development at the Ngawha Innovation and Enterprise Park. Once operating, it will be a fully sustainable operation, providing permanent employment and exciting horticultural training opportunities.