Tātau Tātau is making significant strides in the horticulture sector, with plans to develop 70 hectares of land for high-production orchards and crops. A portion of this area will be dedicated to apple orchards, while the remainder will support a variety of crops to provide year-round employment. An additional 20 hectares were planted in 2024 with fruit expected to be harvested by 2027. This venture is expected to create 60 peak season jobs, with further plans to expand into post-harvest operations.
Tātau Tātau’s first venture, an 18-hectare apple orchard in partnership with Ohuia Incorporation, has already proven successful with support funding through a Provincial Growth Fund loan in 2021.
Robin Kaa, General Manager of Tātau Tātau Horticulture (Haumako), a subsidiary of E Tipu, highlights that the lessons learned from this project have been crucial to the development of future projects.
Haumako’s 109-hectare farm is currently used for grazing and cropping and have transitioned to high-production horticulture with 30 hectares of envy apples planted on Whakapau. With the ideal climate for this industry, Haumako is well-positioned to lead the region’s horticultural growth.
Tātau Tātau Horticulture has developed a six-year strategy focused on the viability and marketability of various crops, guided by a commitment to economic growth and sustainable, long-term employment. Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson visited the orchards in August last year, offering valuable support, alongside other government agencies like the Ministry for Māori Development and the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Future plans include the construction of water storage facilities, orchard infrastructure, and the development of a coolstore facility, which will be crucial for ongoing economic growth. Haumako also employs 35 full-time orchard staff while upskilling local talent to address the growing demand for skilled workers in the horticulture industry. With a strong focus on developing local talent, Haumako plans to address labour shortages by primarily hiring from within the Wairoa community.
