Avocado tree generic

One of New Zealand’s earliest avocado producers, the 311haClearwater Orchardat Ngataki on the Aupouri Peninsula, has been put on the market.

The orchard is one of the most northerly in New Zealand, and is being marketed by real estate agent Bayleys in a mortgagee tender closing 26 May.

The property boasts an artificial 7.2ha lake capable of providing summer irrigation to 232ha, housing and several large equipment sheds.

Around 64ha of Hass and Reed avocados were planted on the property in 2006 and 2007, according to Bayleys Real Estate, with a further 130-140ha available for planting.

“This is New Zealand’s northernmost avocado development – with the Houhora area becoming recognised for its climatic reliability, being able to produce earlier fruit than orchards further south at Whangarei and Katikati,” said Bayleys senior sales consultant Alan Broadbent.

Mr Broadbent said the property requires some investment to bring its dam and irrigation systems up to design capacity.

“However, that investment would deliver higher production crop yields from an orchard which currently has huge potential but is performing well below its true potential,” he explained.