The proud family business now employs 18 permanent staff and dozens of casual pickers and packers at the height of the season.
Retirees, university students and locals are taking up jobs typically filled in pre-Covid times by working holiday-makers.
"We have local women for instance that might come out pre-Christmas just for a few weeks before school finishes."
Photo / RNZ - Cosmo Kentish-Barnes
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."
- RNZ
