An expansive orchard in Central Hawke’s Bay with a strong track record of producing high-quality apples for the global market is available for purchase.
Te Papa Orchard, which spans 123.7ha and is held in two titles, is located at 1115 State Highway 50, Ongaonga.
Sitting in a unique micro-climate that provides exceptional growing conditions and water, the property also benefits from excellent drainage.
The variety mix at the property is Gala strains, high-colour Fuji, NZ Queen, Jazz, Dazzle, and NZ Prince and an area of 13ha that is currently fallow.
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At present some NZ Queen and Jazz plantings are being removed and will be replaced with Dazzle this winter.
These are predominantly New Zealand-bred varieties that flourish in the local climate and provide the quality produce the world markets desire.
The total potential planting area at the property covers approximately 105.5ha.
The orchard is fully irrigated with permanent sprinkler irrigation and soil drainage is not required. Frost protection is provided by way of 20 frost fans.
There is fully equipped on-site accommodation at the property that can house up to approximately 140 RSE workers and an original home complements this.
Colliers Rural Sales Advisors Louise Wake and Hadley Brown have been exclusively appointed to market the property for sale with the deadline for offers closing at 2pm on Friday 12 July.
The orchard includes key infrastructure such as implement sheds, a pump shed, spray shed, and garage.
There is also an office and secure storage for on-site equipment.
Water for the property is sourced from two bores and there are consents in place, which run until 2029 for discharge purposes and 2035 for water usage.
The property includes a computer-controlled time and volume irrigation system with micro-sprinklers installed at 2.5m and 3m spacing. The soil is predominantly Class 39 Takapau silt loam.
Wake, a horticulture specialist at Colliers Hawke’s Bay, says buyers have a number of options available to them.
“This is a chance for investors to acquire a significant landholding in a unique environment, which ensures premium quality for export markets,” Wake says.
“Under a new owner, the operations of the property could proceed with a lease or management contract to the current vendor who have a proven track record of delivering outstanding results in this sector.
“This orchard represents a premium horticulture asset that provides high-quality produce for the global market.”
Brown, Director of Rural at Colliers Hawke’s Bay, says the orchard is well positioned for future growth as the sector rebounds following the challenges posed by Cyclone Gabrielle last year.
“The existing infrastructure at the property means it provides functional living quarters for staff and the alluvial soils and unique climate make for fertile growing conditions,” Brown says.
“With some of the trees being replanted the property is being strategically positioned to capitalise on future demand for New Zealand apples.
The sector continues to benefit from being a counter-cyclical grower compared to other markets around the world.
“Orchards of this scale and prominence are rarely seen on the open market and represent a rare chance to secure a significant stake in a key sector of the Hawke’s Bay economy.”
- Supplied by Colliers
