ZESPRI® GREEN and GOLD Kiwifruit
Characterised by a passion for life and for growing things, and with an intensity and determination to succeed, Darren has taken the kiwifruit industry by storm.
Darren is a printer by trade and worked his way through an apprenticeship to eventually owning and running a successful printing company. It was whilst he was running the Auckland based printing business that Darren decided to invest in a kiwifruit orchard. He contracted out the management for two years before he packed up his young family, sold his business, moved to the Bay of Plenty and literally threw himself into orcharding.
Driven by a passion for growing things that was fuelled by his grandfather, Darren approached the kiwifruit orchard and the growers around him with respect; learning quickly and applying his knowledge. His focus is on continually improving the yield, taste and quality of his kiwifruit, to ensure that the consumer is provided with the best quality product possible.
Darren quite often takes calculated risks, breaking new ground with innovative orchard practices and techniques. He is known to meet a challenge head-on and trusts his gut instinct; more often than not getting it right. He has recently been recognised with an industry award as one of the areas high-performing, sustainable farmers.
He loves the fast pace of intensive farming required for Kiwifruit, but always finds time in his day for his family. Now with four young children, Darren and Tracey have a hectic life, but love the fact that they are part of a strong and supportive community and are creating a unique lifestyle for their children.