THE largest macadamia grower in the world and his family visited Torere Macadamias on Tuesday while on an unofficial holiday.
Torere, home to the Ngatai people, is also home to the largest macadamia nursery in New Zealand and its popularity spans across the Pacific Ocean, attracting China’s macadamia elite.
Chinese grower and owner of several farms totalling 2000 hectares, Bin Xu and his family, were welcomed to the orchard by Torere whanau and staff with a traditional Maori hongi, the national greeting and a symbol of unity between two people.
Manuhiri (guests) were also treated to a Chinese hakari including freshly caught kahawai, Te Whakatohea mussels and a Chinese buffet.
Torere Macadamias vice president Vanessa Hayes said they used only natural and sustainable organic growing techniques, without the use of sprays or chemicals, which attracted the Chinese who spent the day in Torere picking her brain and that of co-director Rob Husband.
“We have the biggest and best tasting macadamias in the world and it’s the reason we have attracted the Chinese growers,” she said.
Paving the way in the macadamia industry in New Zealand, Ms Hayes’ expertise is highly sought-after around the world and she has led presentations in China teaching leading growers the ins and outs of cultivating organically.
“I was given the great privilege of naming one of Mr Xu’s orchards.
“I named it Torere I Hina, meaning, Torere in China”.
Ms Hayes is also passionate about showing Maori landowners how to grow and produce food and crops on their land, getting the maximum benefits and gains from the under-utilised whenua.
For the first time in New Zealand, a macadamia training course, which launched in October last year and is NZQA-accredited, enables students and Maori to develop skills and knowledge in the industry.
Courses are held on Wednesdays and Thursdays from a base at Torere Macadamias.
“I want Maori landowners and young people to make the most out of their land and see it for its benefits. We must think big in terms of gains,” she said.
The Rural Studies nursery is growing macadamia rootstock from seed and has trees at various stages. It propagates 30,000 trees a year.