Kerikeri Field Trip - Saturday & Sunday 3-4 March 2007

The IPPS experience – Kerikeri

Although a long drive for some, Kerikeri is an underestimated beauty in Northland. The IPPS field trip of March 2007 was an experience that no-one in the garden or nursery world should miss. The field trip was run between the 3 and 4th of March with tours of the surrounding nurseries and gardens centers of the area of Kerikeri.

People traveled from as far as Invercargill to come to the field trip and the lucky few that could arrive the Friday beforehand were invited to a “pizza night” hosted by Wharapuke sub-tropical gardens. Here new and “seasoned” members and visitors were able to introduce themselves to each other while sitting outside on a warm summer’s night We all enjoyed the homemade gourmet pizzas, salad and dessert while surrounded by the extensive sub-tropical gardens. This is also where some of the field trip participants stayed as Wharapuke has good accommodation available.

The days that followed were packed to the last minute with tours and activities that were thoroughly enjoyed by all. As the group moved from activity to activity, a presentation of wine was given to the people who took the group around. The wine was generously donated by Scotts. A big “Thank you” to them.

First off was a visit to Olivado New Zealand, where they press avocados into the wonderful range of oils that can be found in supermarkets. Phill Civil was kind enough to show us the processes involved and tell us how the market has been going. They get their avocados from as far south as Katikati and Tauranga and can turn 1000 kg of 2nds avos into 150 litres of liquid gold.

Next was Baker Boys Nurseries owned by Andrew and Mike Baker. Their nursery supplies large plants (most in amazing PB95s) mostly to garden centers and large landscape companies. Their business is a fine example of what potential the garden/nursery sector can reach in this country, as their astounding 19 acres of high quality plants were truly amazing and beautifully maintained to ensure their high quality.

The group then went to Hot Research to find out about the new research put into kiwifruit. Their objectives at the moment are to create a strand of high quality green kiwifruit and the upper hand on a red fleshed one. Currently China may be slightly ahead but New Zealand is catching up quickly. They have around 20 species of kiwifruit there, which they are studying and have a nursery where they grow on the breeding plants for the New Zealand marketplace.

The bus then took the group back to Wharapuke for a wonderful lunch sponsored by “Greenfingers” Whangarei. Here is where Robin Booth showed the group around the extensive gardens while sharing his incredible knowledge about all of the species of the plants, and all of the locations around the world that you can find them.

Kerikeri Plant Production nursery is run by the hosts of this field trip Tom and Julia. This nursery as a wide range of plants available to the public, as well as GOL and they have been running it for 11 years. Their specialty is ferns from spores that they obtain from their own extensive collection.

The last nursery/garden center for the Saturday was Palmco, which has been running for 14 years and supplies plants from seedling to over 7 meters tall! Their extensive knowledge allows purchasers to know what type of palms is suitable for them and the correct way to transplant them. This is essential to insure the palm arrives in perfect condition and maintains a healthy state for the customer.

That night Interworld plastics were wonderful enough to sponsor a dinner at Kerikeri Cruising club. The meal as well as the atmosphere was wonderful, and the views were spectacular.

Sunday morning started early for some, as Kerikeri holds a local growers market where you can pick up items such as cheese, chilies and fruit and vege. You shouldn’t miss this if you are in the area. It happens from 8:30 am to around 12 noon.

The last nursery to be visited was Kwan Citrus Nursery owned and run by Peter and Joan Jurisich. They supply Citrus to many major plant centers across New Zealand. They get their ideas and index seed from the U.S. They also have a great garden centre that is open to the public closer to town which has a wide selection of plants and accessories for the home and garden.

The last visit was to The Parrot Place. The birds that they have on display are rich in colour as well as diversity. Many are from Africa, South America and Australia, (they even have a collection of birds that are trained to sit on people and talk). Definitely one not to miss.

At the end of this hectic but most enjoyable trip was a picnic lunch at rainbow falls. Here people went their separate ways until the next IPPS field trip. Here I would like to thank the sponsors of this trip including; Interworld Plastics, Greenfingers Whangarei, Scotts and everyone who helped. Thank you

Emily Knight
Marketing Manager
Kereru Gardens