increase font size
Greencollar's "mini league of nations".
A multi-cultural team is helping to establish one of New Zealand's largest plantings of premium eating grapes - while learning each other's languages and cultures along the way.
Greencollar's Hawke's Bay vineyard is part of a niche sector in New Zealand horticulture.
Fewer than 40 hectares of eating grapes are in commercial production nationwide, compared with tens of thousands of hectares devoted to wine grapes.
At around 20 hectares, Greencollar's five-year-old vineyard is one of the country's largest.
The grapes are grown by a multi-cultural team from Japan, New Zealand, China, India, and Taiwan, supported by Pasifika team members during the busiest months of the season.
“It’s a really great mix of cultures and levels of experience, with everyone bringing something unique to the team,” says Greencollar chief executive Shin Koizumi.
Shared lunches are a popular event on the vineyard, with team members introducing each other to food from their home cultures - from curry and samosas to sushi and cold noodle salads - providing a relaxed way to learn about language, customs and traditions.
Vineyard manager Taka (Takayuki) Kagayama says the New Zealand lifestyle is rubbing off on the international team, highlighting the necessary balance between work and family.
“It’s not something we really have in Japan. Here, everyone always works hard to get their responsibilities completed but we know that our family time and things we do after work are valued as well.”
The approach to growing Japanese eating grapes is very different from wine grapes, he says.
“Wine doesn’t care what the grapes look like; while we need to be focused on the whole presentation: taste, flavour, balance and look, the skins need to be perfect.”
Operations and sustainability manager Xan Harding says the diversity of the team brings practical insights into overseas markets.
“Sometimes it’s the small things, like the way the packaging is presented, or the words we’re using, that can make all the difference.”
With the first harvest of high-quality table grapes from 700 vines just completed, the attention of Japanese company Greencollar is on preparing to harvest from 1400 vines next summer, and putting in another 1500 this planting season.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
DairyNZ says the decision to allow an extra 500 international workers to help on dairy farms will help with the present shortage - estimated to be 4,000 workers.
An extra 500 workers will certainly help but only if they get here in time.
Silver Fern Farms Pareora, near Timaru, heavily relies on its overseas workers - mainly from the Pacific Islands - to keep the meat processing plant operating.
A multi-cultural team is helping to establish one of New Zealand's largest plantings of premium eating grapes - while learning each other's languages and cultures along the way.
The World Wide Sires National All Day Breeds Best Youth Camp Best All Rounder plaudit has become family affair, with 2026 Paramount Cup winner Holly Williams following in her sister Zara's footsteps.
DairyNZ is giving New Zealand farmers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on governance and leadership experience within the dairy sector.
Herd improvement company LIC has posted a 5.2% lift in half-year revenue, thanks to increasing demand for genetics.
According to the latest Fresh Produce Trend Report from United Fresh, 2026 will be a year where fruit and vegetables are shaped by cost pressures, rapid digital adoption, and a renewed focus on wellbeing at home.
The Roar is a highlight of the game hunting calendar in New Zealand, with thousands of hunters set to head for the hills to hunt male stags during March and April.
OPINION: Meanwhile, red blooded Northland politician Matua Shane Jones has provided one of the most telling quotes of the year…
OPINION: This old mutt has been around for a few years now and it seems these ‘once in 100-year’ weather…
