The orchards grow an abundance of fruit including cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, apples and pears.
Harvesting spans the period from November to April. The fruit is sold locally and to retailers and wholesalers around the country.
Most of the trees are grown using the intensive Tatura (V trellis) orchard system.
It was more expensive to put in when Kevin established the orchards but he reckons it was worth every penny.
"What it does is it increases your production level threefold."
Photo / RNZ - Cosmo Kentish-Barnes
He says it also makes the fruit easier to pick and brings the trees into production much earlier.
"An apricot tree planted normally doesn't get into a reasonable production until year seven, however with the Tatura system you've got a reasonable tonnage by year three."
