Sixteen 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 1 ½ 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 just over a year and are heading into our second 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 15, Luke 13, and three girls Stephanie 9, and twin girls Courtney and Emma who are six. They all attend various schools around Gisborne.

Mark works in the orchard and at quiet times goes out shearing sheep, building and also runs a mulching business. 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.