Birdhurst
Grower / Orchard
Birdhurst Orchards is an multi-generation orchard and packing business located in Motueka, New Zealand. Our family has lived and farmed land here for three generations. It was the brothers Kerry and Farran Wilkins who established Birdhurst, managing the transition from 15 acres of tobacco and 48 head of cattle, to a thriving apple and kiwifruit orchard business.
Carrying on the family traditions, Kerry’s sons Heath and Rhys have taken the reigns and built on the generations of experience, tireless work ethic and the entrepreneurial mindset. Guided by these core family values they have grown Birdhurst Limited into a unique, world class operation with:
– 260 hectares of intensive dwarf apple orchards.(averaging 3000 trees per hectare)
– 67 hectares of Zespri Gold kiwifruit orchards.
As the business grows, both Heath and Rhys are committed to continuing family traditions and upholding the balanced family values to create a sustainable business for future generations and the wider community.
Heywood
GROWER / ORCHARD
Heywood Orchards is a family owned company that is 3 successive generations young. It started with Arthur and Lilius Heywood, who purchased the property known affectionately as “Home Block” to farm fruit and tobacco alongside the cows, pigs and chickens. When Paul and Mike took the torch from their parents in the 60’s, they managed the transition from tobacco to kiwifruit and apples all the while growing the operation.
Today, under the direction of Evan Heywood and Scott Heywood, the company grows 80 hectares of apples and 30 hectares of kiwifruit, spread from the alluvial river soils of the Riwaka and Motueka valleys to the Hau stones of Motueka, and also on the clay of the Moutere hills.
As Heywood Orchards have grown, we have taken special attention to preserving the core values that were established by Arthur and Lilius. Their dedication and togetherness has provided the backbone that has helped the business thrive in the face of adversity, ensuring we continue to deliver premium fruit that are true to this beautiful part of the world.