Pahoia, New Zealand – GREEN and GOLD

Loren’s approach to kiwifruit production combines innovation and environmental sustainability on an impressive scale. The majority of his GOLD Kiwifruit is grown under an artificial canopy that creates a microclimate in which the plants thrive; boosting growth and taste qualities.

Loren owns and manages a large and diverse property that produces GREEN and GOLD Kiwifruit; flowers such as hydrangeas, leucadendrons, viburnum and king proteas for the US export market; and energy crops such as maize, lucerne and oats. Additional areas of the property that are unsuitable for kiwifruit are being regenerated as native bush, attracting native wildlife back in to the area and creating a unique ecosystem.

For Loren, a system in balance and harmony is the most efficient and effective way to operate. Recognizing that New Zealand is the furthest country from the North American markets, Loren is actively involved in investigating ways that ZESPRI and the New Zealand kiwifruit industry can address and reduce their carbon footprint.

Amongst other projects, he is currently looking at using waste kiwifruit (too small for harvest or damaged) as biofuel to power orchard equipment. The by-product of biofuel production is a fertilizer that can go back into orchards to enrich the soil and boost kiwifruit production.

With these sustainable practices, North American consumers can purchase ZESPRI® Kiwifruit with the knowledge that they have a lower carbon footprint than a number of locally produced fruits and vegetables.