Nau mai, haere mai

Welcome to Haumako Horticulture

At Haumako, horticulture is more than a business. It’s about developing people, caring for the land, and creating lasting opportunities for our region. For, from and by our people, we want to create real and lasting value for our hapū, iwi, and community.

Our Orchards: Where the Work Begins

We operate two orchards in the Wairoa region.

Tara Orchard spans 18 hectares and is fully planted with premium apples through a joint venture with Ohuia Incorporation. Initiated in 2021, the orchard is now fully operational. Ongoing investment in orchard infrastructure will continue to support long-term sustainability, growth, streamline operations and increased efficiency.

Whakapau Orchard is a 104-hectare site. It has changed from traditional farming to a high-value horticulture hub. Currently, it has 30 hectares of Envy™ apples with 59 hectares still in cropping and grazing activities as we look to diversify our planting across the entire site. Haumako aims to advance whenua led development with the 150 megalitre water storage project completed in 2026 and post-harvest facilities such as a cool-store and pack house in the pipeline. This will enable us to encourage over 600 hectares of potential whenua that whanau can transition to horticultural land to optimise supply chain, retain economic value within the rohe, strengthen local employment pathways, and increase Māori participation in the horticultural value chain.

Growing Skills Through Cadetship

Our horticulture cadetship programme is at the heart of Haumako. It's not just about learning how to grow crops, it's about building careers. This program has already helped young people from our area take on leadership roles in our orchards. It shows what can happen when you mix training with real-life chances. Our cadets get hands-on experience in the orchard life cycle. They are supported by mentors who know the land and the people.

Sustainable Growth for Our Rohe

Haumako’s vision goes well beyond planting and harvesting. We view horticulture as a way to change the region, a place where the land is cared for, young people are empowered, and Te Wairoa leads the food economy in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay.

Every apple we grow, every career we support, and every hectare we develop is part of a bigger goal. This goal is to build a future that is locally rooted and globally connected.

Our Commitment to Tikanga and Kaitiakitanga

Our mahi is guided by tikanga Māori. We respect the land, honour our heritage, and feel a strong duty to protect our environment for future generations.

Why It Matters

In a world facing climate change, food insecurity, and rising youth unemployment, we believe the answers are in our backyard. Through Haumako, we are using what’s ours; our land, our people, our knowledge, to build a better future.