A new self-levelling all-terrain avocado-picking platform and ultra-high pressure treated guacamole were among the more unusual exhibits at Saturday's Katikati Avocado Food and Wine Festival.
The impressive-looking prototype of the ATP (All Terrain Platform), invented and manufactured by Don Rust of Mural Town Engineering for picking avocados in orchards with ground contours
too challenging for most equipment, had its first public showing at the event on the Just Avocado and AvoWorks stand.
The self-levelling platform with a reach of 8.5 metres and the ability to be driven over uneven terrain, has been developed with funding from TechNZ, and Mr Rust has plans to begin production in Katikati soon.
Kauri Pak was promoting, but not selling, long-life guacamole packed by new company Fressure Foods. Linda Flegg, of Kauri Pak, said the guacamole would be available in supermarkets soon.
David Crispin, of the Katikati Pakeke Club which managed the event, said it was not the intention to turn the festival into a trade show but it seemed the perfect opportunity to promote two exciting innovations for the industry.
Michael Darling, of AvoWorks, who worked closely with Mr Rust on the design of the ATP, said his orchard contracting company had agreed to buy the prototype and hoped to begin training staff in its use soon.
"There is nothing else quite like it available and it should overcome some of the safety issues we have within the industry," Mr Darling said.
Mr Rust has yet to put a figure on the price for the machine.
"I just make them - it's up to someone else to decide on a price," he said.
The ATP has been more than a year in development and the project has been assisted by funding from TechNZ. Powered by a four cylinder, 36hp diesel engine, the machine is designed to travel across uneven terrain, while keeping the picking basket level. It has a boom length of 8.5 metres and the ability to turn in 360 degrees.
"This means it can stop alongside a tree and pick from ground level up to the very top," said Mr Darling.
The machine is operated from the picking basket by two joysticks and has screens connected to cameras to show the driver what is happening at ground level.
"It is built to construction-equipment standards and safety is of paramount importance," said Mr Rust. The machine was displayed with opposing wheels mounted on large blocks of timber, tilting the axles to about 15 degrees, but the design meant the platform remained level.
Mr Rust said interest from through New Zealand and overseas was strong and he hoped to manufacture the ATP in Katikati, opening new employment opportunities for the community.
Fressure Foods, which last year raised capital mainly from within the avocado industry, has begun production of guacamole using imported equipment which subjects foods to pressures of up to 87,000psi to "shock" bacteria, rendering them inactive.
Such ultra-high pressure treatment, often referred to as cold pasteurisation, is used internationally to treat ready-to-eat meats, seafood, raw meat, fruits, juices and vegetables and is also involved in the marinating of meat.
The company hopes the process will provide another outlet for fruit which doesn't reach export standards.
The festival, the eighth run by the Pakeke Lions on behalf of the Katikati Funfest Charitable Trust, attracted about 1400 people.
That number was down on last year but festival organisers said they were more than happy with the event, which raised funds for the new Lions Cancer Lodge in Hamilton and for the Katikati Pakeke Lions Club for the support of the local community.
As usual, the festival had a strong family flavour, with people of all ages from throughout the North Island settling in for the day, enjoying the music of bands Llovisna, Five O'Clock Shadow and D'n'D , and Penny and Peter, who entertained between each performance, and the wide selection of foods, wines and other beverages.
Click here for the Katikati Avocado Food and Wine Festival photo gallery.
Pay just
per week ongoing
Pay just
per year ongoing
30
