From orchard to wealth: Bay growers face new decisions after record year

OpinionOpinion byDarin WhiteheadNZ Herald·22 Jul, 2026 04:59 PM6 mins to readDarin Whitehead is a Wealth Management Lead Adviser with Milford, based in Tauranga.The kiwifruit industry is an export story with a Bay of Plenty engine, writes Darin Whitehead.The kiwifruit industry has just delivered one of the most significant wealth-creation events in recent New Zealand horticultural history – one concentrated in a single sector, and largely in one region.

Zespri’s latest financial results confirm it was the industry’s strongest season on record. Most significantly for growers, $3.56 billion