Horticulture & Fruit Growing

Sector Overview

Taitokerau Northland’s subtropical climate and wide diversity of soils see a large variety of horticultural and fruit-growing endeavours thriving in the region. Horticulture and fruit growing accounted for 12.5% of the overall value of Taitokerau Northland’s exports in 2022.

Taitokerau Northland's largest fruit crop is kiwifruit, and the GDP that it generates for the Taitokerau Northland economy has almost doubled in the last five years to 2022. Citrus, predominantly mandarins, lemons and naval oranges, are popular in the middle of the Far North District and there has been large investments made recently into avocado trees in the Far North.

Raspberries and blueberries are a relatively new but rapidly growing fruit crop and the region is also starting to explore tropical fruit growing as the climate allows for this. Taitokerau Northland is currently home to the only commercial pineapple and coffee growers in Aotearoa New Zealand and boasts a range of successful banana plantations.

With the 2023 opening of the Ngawha Innovation & Enterprise Park in Kaikohe, the region is looking to grow the manufacturing and processing component related to this sector.

If you are interested in discussing investment opportunities in the horticulture space in Northland, contact our Investment Team.