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...the Oakura messenger (TOM)... |
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NUTS ABOUT NUTS August 2004 By Anne Stembridge
Taranaki is well known as the energy province of New Zealand. Oakura is about to be launched into the limelight with an energy discovery of its own.
Oakura orchardists Bill and Christine Charteris are nuts about nuts - that is macadamias.
This passion led to the decision to produce them commercially. It has meant spending the last twenty years researching and developing their land despite setbacks along the way to reach the stage they are at today.
Nestled under the Kaitaki Ranges on Surrey Hill Road, three and a half kilometres from Oakura, is their 20 hectare property consisting of 10 hectares macadamia orchard set alongside native bush and forestry. Behind this peaceful facade is a hive of activity that puts most of us to shame.
The self-confessed nut enthusiasts are busy harvesting and processing this year's crop of macadamia nuts. Their plantation of about 3,400 trees is starting to bear enough fruit to enable them to become viable. It's been a long hard haul but the Charteris' have the conviction to see their dream come true.
They decided to diversify from dairy farming to horticulture in the 1980s and chose macadamias after noticing native Rewa-rewa trees, which are closely related, growing in abundance on their property. Initial trials with South African varieties confirmed that macadamia trees would grow. At this stage because the trees grew but set few nuts, they went into kiwifruit production.
Their first export crop was devastated by Cyclone Bola in 1988. "It blew away overnight", remembers Christine, which set them back about four years. Both are philosophical about the event. "At that point we either quit or got out of horticulture or we had to make a commitment to restore the property", says Christine. With help from family and volunteers they set about putting the destruction wreaked by the storm behind them and restored the kiwifruit orchard. Then a slump in the price of kiwifruit was instrumental in the decision to return to their original idea of producing macadamias. It was after the 91-92 season when "the chainsaws came out and we demolished all the kiwifruit orchard", says Bill.
Prior to this they travelled throughout New Zealand and overseas looking for suitable varieties , which they grafted onto their existing trees with promising results. At this stage with the help of their four children Bill and Christine started a nursery to produce rootstock in readiness to plant out. They trialled over 20 varieties then settled on five main varieties particularly suited to the Taranaki weather conditions that did not need spraying and could be harvested mechanically.
The macadamia orchard was planted and they have been perfecting the system ever since. "We have been looking to produce optimum nuts that are high in oil and of high quality." Because they have planted varieties that set nuts at different times they are able to spread the harvest over a period of months so they can guarantee fresh product. Although less than a third of the trees are producing in any great quantity the Charteris' have begun processing the nuts in their well equipped and modern processing facility. Bill says it is still a very young orchard but they are at the point where they can establish the brand and grow the business. As the trees mature and tonnage increases new options will open up. Plans are underway to utilize all parts of the nut.
Presently they produce 100gm packs, 3 pack gift bags, and macadamia spread. They are part of the Wedding Fair on the 7-8th of August with delicious wedding favours. They also supply local chefs with sliced, shaved natural and roasted macadamias. Distinctive Taranaki corporate gift packs and conference gifts are next.
Bill and Christine say the health benefits of macadamias are enormous. Studies have shown that although high in fat, the good fat monounsaturated, this nut can help lower cholesterol, contains antioxidants and because of their anti-inflammatory qualities can help arthritis and heart disease. Macadamia nuts should be part of your wellness programme.
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