The Post February 2026

From multi-generational potato and broccoli farming to the restoration of an avocado orchard brimming with birdlife, we climb to the treetops of the horticulture industry this February. Join us as we see where most of New Zealand’s much-loved potato chips come from and visit a remarkable avocado orchard in Katikati brought back from the brink of failure.

First up, we meet with Hunter Aarts, whose family has been cultivating the land in Pukekawa for several generations. If you enjoy a packet of Bluebird or Eta chips every so often, there’s a good chance you’ve eaten a potato from their very own Sundale Farm. He chats to us about their multi-location farming operation and the crops that travel near and far.

Next, we head to Katikati in the Bay of Plenty, where a small avocado orchard has been restored from dire circumstances. Jodie and Mark Power of Jomark Produce have spent over a decade bringing a neglected avocado orchard back to full production, making the most of native plantings, birdlife, and working with their slice of paradise.

Chase Pruden of Pruden Contracting in Blenheim shows us how he uses the GOFENCE® SPRINTER® wire to terminate a wire around a stay.

We visit the beautiful Raglan Range, which borders the Marlborough region, to talk to the Department of Conservation about a problem affecting both New Zealand’s native landscapes and everyday Kiwis. Wilding pine spread is taking over native bush areas and impacting farmland across the region – and it needs action to control and prevent.

This month’s State of the Industry provides a current snapshot of New Zealand’s horticulture sector, with insights from key leaders and contributors helping shape where it’s headed.