Maori-owned orchards bounce back from cyclone damage
A large Māori-owned kiwifruit business that was badly damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle has bounced back with a vengeance.
Mike Peterson is the chair of Scales Corporation, which owns Mr Apple along with several other operations within the horticultural sector. Mr Apple has 1,250 hectares of apples in Hawke's Bay, their only growing region.
Peterson says immediately after Cyclone Gabrielle, his company took action to get back up and running which is why things are so good today. He says some companies didn't do this and are struggling for a variety of reasons.
Peterson says capital is precious right now in Hawke's Bay and he feels for some of the smaller orchardists who are having hard times two years on from the cyclone.
"We are going well and continuing to invest in premium products. We understand exactly what we need to do to grow with our varieties; it is really a solid growing platform. We haven't gone down the fully automated track, but we're sort of in the band of fast followers but not leading the pack," he says.
Peterson says Mr Apple is introducing technology where it's needed and says it's about being smart in business and having a good balance sheet. So far, he says it's been a cracker of a season and things are looking good.
"This season is one out of the bag, but I have learned over the years you never to jinx the crop. We could get a hailstorm tomorrow and the whole thing is gone. So, fingers crossed for this year's harvest," he says.
