Over eighteen years ago as newlyweds we made a move to Gisborne from the Waikato Bay of Plenty region. The move was to a hill country sheep and beef farm 1½ hours North of Gisborne to a little place called Motu. Fifteen years and five children later we made another big move as a family to a Kiwifruit Orchard fifteen minutes North of Gisborne.

We have now been here for six years and are heading into our seventh season growing gold and green Kiwifruit. A totally different career move from farming to being orchardists but an interesting challenge non the less.

The kiwifruit orchard is 3.7 hectares in size this being 2.7 hectares in gold kiwifruit and 1 hectare in green kiwifruit. Bud burst begins in mid August in the gold kiwifruit and approximately 3 weeks later in the green. As the kiwifruit is prone to frost damage we are on frost alert for a number of weeks and are sometimes out at unusual hours endeavouring to protect the up and coming crop.

Harvest is approximately 120 days after fruit set and we employ pickers over this period to get the crop off. After this we have a quiet time until mid June when we begin our winter pruning.

Our family is a busy lot being involved in rugby, soccer, cricket and ballet dancing. We have two boys Josh 20 who is an apprentice builder, Luke 18 is living is dream and is driving the big tractors for leaderbrand. We have three girls Stephanie14, and twin girls Courtney and Emma who are 11. The grilsl attend various schools around Gisborne.

Mark works in the orchard and after falling in love with bees we now have 400 behives farmed out on numerous farms in the Gisborne district.  I (Marjorie) am kept busy in the orchard, cake decorating and running around after the kids.

We have found the Bed and Breakfast side of things to be very interesting and have enjoyed meeting all the wonderful visitors from all walks of life and every country imaginable.

We had the choice when moving from the farm to locate to anywhere in New Zealand, but why move somewhere else when you already live in a great place like Gisborne with great beaches, lovely wine and friendly relaxed people.