Awakeri microclimate ideal for avocados

There’s a small horticultural enclave surrounded by grazing and cropping farms just north-east of Awakeri – and that’s where Bruce and Lynne Baker grow avocados.


From teacher to full-time orchardist – Bruce Baker is enjoying the change.

“There’s a great microclimate here – probably because it’s tucked under the hills,” says Bruce, who says all of his immediate neighbours are kiwifruit orchardists.

Twelve years ago, when the couple bought the land around their original acre, there was some shelter but it was undeveloped.

“We decided to grow avocados because the establishment costs for kiwifruit seemed just too high,” says Bruce, who until this year was teaching at local schools and working part-time on the orchard.

Under the guidance of Jack Crozier, the couple planted 5.5 hectares of avocado trees.

“The soils are loamy. Before stop banks were built this area probably flooded, so the top soil is very deep with sand underneath and it drains well.”

The Bakers are among a small number, maybe five or six, avocado growers in the Whakatane district – and despite the generally favourable climate in Butler Rd, they are affected by frosts.

“Initially when the trees were young, the frost control system worked because I could get water to the top of the trees. That’s not the case anymore.”

Harsh frost
In late-July the orchard was hit by frosts, which caused about one-two per cent of the fruit to drop. Despite that, the orchard looks set to have a record harvest.

Bruce does the majority of the orchard work, including applying sprays when advised to do so by AvoGreen monitors from his packhouse.

“I used to do the monitoring but found I got distracted by other things that needed doing in the orchard, so would rather leave it to the experts.”

He and Lynne apply Avomix Fertiliser from FruitFed by hand to each tree and phytophora is controlled by Omnia Stem Caps, inserted in small drill holes in the trunks.

Consultant Jonathan Cutting, the orchard’s advisor, recommended a rather aggressive pruning regime for one block, which was carrying a smaller crop this season.

“The aim is to open up the canopy and gradually bring down the height of the trees. I’ll do the same kind of pruning, but maybe not so dramatic, with other blocks over time,” says Bruce.


Bruce Baker has embarked on a rather aggressive pruning regime for one avocado block.

100 hives
The orchard enjoys excellent pollination thanks to the fact it’s used as a depot for hives by a local beekeeper, meaning bees from up to 100 hives visit flowers from early-October to late-November.

The packhouse organises the harvest, and advises Bruce on what pre-harvest sprays to use to ensure his fruit is not excluded from any markets. The fruit is exported through Primor Produce.

Bruce believes the avocado industry has a bright future, which is among the reasons he’s decided to work full-time on the orchard.

B&B hosts
Lynne and Bruce also run Baker’s B&B Homestay, hosting guests in the self-contained cottage they originally built, and in their adjoining large home with its croquet lawn, spa pool and swimming pool.

“Guests enjoy the peace and quiet, and the birdlife here – and we like meeting new people,” says Bruce, who when he’s not hosting guests or working in the orchard, enjoys painting landscapes and playing croquet.


Avocado orchardist Bruce Baker is also a talented artist, who enjoys painting landscapes.


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