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Freelance writer + photographer | Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Eat: Getting fruity in Kerikeri

8 June, 2016

The Bay of Islands is blessed with a climate (and soil) that makes it a wonderful area for growing produce. Kerikeri, in particular, is known as a horticultural area, with numerous kiwi fruit, mandarin and orange orchards. Kerikeri fruit is delicious!

Home gardening is popular here too – it’s the perfect place for it, after all!

On our own property, we have over 50 fruit trees (though many of these are newly planted), with the idea being that we can be self-sufficient in fruit, all year round. We have: oranges, mandarins, limes, lemons, tamarillos, plums, cherimoyas, bananas, feijoas – and in the future we’ll also hopefully have peaches, nectarines, and berries of all sorts. Yum!

Some of my homegrown feijoas.
Some of my homegrown feijoas.

I also have a sideline business, called Leaf Produce: I sell my homegrown lettuces and herbs at the local market from time to time.

I sometimes have a stall at The Old Packhouse Market, Kerikeri, for Leaf Produce, selling my homegrown lettuces and herbs.
I sometimes have a stall at The Old Packhouse Market, Kerikeri, for Leaf Produce, selling my homegrown lettuces and herbs.

Where can a visitor to the Bay of Islands buy fresh, local produce?

You’ll find very little local produce in the supermarkets. While it kinda sucks that the supermarkets aren’t supporting local growers, it’s excellent news for the local growers’ markets.

And there are 3 growers’ markets to choose from:

  • The Old Packhouse Market: Saturdays from 8am to 1.30pm in Kerikeri.
  • Bay of Islands Farmers’ Market: Sundays from 8.30am to 12 noon in Kerikeri, plus Thursdays from 2 to 5.30pm in Paihia.

The produce at the markets may be certified organic, spray-free, or sprayed: if in doubt, ask the grower.

Fresh fruit at the Bay Of Islands Farmers' Market
Fresh fruit at the Bay Of Islands Farmers’ Market

The produce at the local markets will be seasonal, and the prices are either the same as the supermarket, or slightly lower. You can find bargains if you look for them! (Plus by buying locally, you’re supporting local growers and the local community and economy, which has to be a good thing for Northland.)

Are there any other options for buying fresh produce?

The local growers’ markets aren’t your only option for buying Kerikeri fruit and other fresh produce in the Bay of Islands…

Buying Kerikeri fruit directly from the orchards

Some orchards – large commercial orchards plus home orchards – sell directly to the public. This might be via a stall on the road by the property with an honesty box system (so make sure you bring cash and coins).

This large, commercial persimmon orchard (The Persimmon Patch on Kerikeri Road) sells directly to the public, via an honesty box system. You have to drive all the way through the beautiful orchard to get to the farm stall.
This large, commercial persimmon orchard (The Persimmon Patch on Kerikeri Road) sells directly to the public, via an honesty box system. You have to drive all the way through the beautiful orchard to get to the farm stall. The Persimmons are generally available in May and June, though that may vary from year to year.

Sometimes you might even be lucky enough to find free fruit:

This is one real insider secret: you can get free golden kiwi fruit from one of the major orchards in Kerikeri! The fruit is perfect: the rumour I've heard is that they're too big for export markets, but I don't know if that's true or not. This big reject bin is at Orangewood on Kapiro Road, Kerikeri. I'm not sure what the duration of the golden kiwi fruit harvest is, but we went and grabbed a big bag full of this delicious Kerikeri fruit in May.
This is one real insider secret: you can get free golden kiwi fruit from one of the major orchards in Kerikeri! The fruit is perfect: the rumour I’ve heard is that they’re too big for export markets, but I don’t know if that’s true or not. This big reject bin is at Orangewood on Kapiro Road, Kerikeri. I’m not sure what the duration of the golden kiwi fruit harvest is, but we went and grabbed a big bag full of this delicious Kerikeri fruit in May.

Buying from roadside stalls

Home gardeners often sell their excess produce at roadside stalls. What’s available depends on the time of year – just keep your eyes peeled, and have plenty of coins with you for the honesty boxes!

I love how innovative this roadside stall is: they didn't worry that they didn't have a table - because they have a chair to use! Kiwi ingenuity at its best. This chilli stall was spotted on Kerikeri Inlet Road.
I love how innovative this roadside stall is: they didn’t worry that they didn’t have a table – because they have a chair to use! Kiwi ingenuity at its best. This chilli stall was spotted on Kerikeri Inlet Road.

Most of the roadside stalls seem to be on Kerikeri Road and Kerikeri Inlet Road – just keep a lookout when you’re driving around.

Buying from farm shops

There aren’t many farm shops in the Bay of Islands, and they’re nothing like the vege shops you might find in Auckland, or the farm shops you know from overseas. The ones here in Kerikeri are basic, but the prices are about the same as at roadside stalls, seeing as they’re not having to invest in merchandising fixtures, employees, etc.

The selection at farm shops is very seasonal (as you would expect) and these too often have an honesty box system.

As well as selling his fruit at the local market, Keith also owns The Farm Store on Kerikeri Road, where you can buy in-season fruit. It's run with an honesty box system, but there's a bell you can ring if you need change.
As well as selling his fruit at the local market, Keith also owns The Farm Store on Kerikeri Road, where you can buy in-season fruit. It’s run with an honesty box system, but there’s a bell you can ring if you need change.

If you like discover local food when you’re travelling (like I do), you will have a fantastic time seeking out yummy Kerikeri fruit and other delicacies.

Enjoy! 🙂

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Related posts:

Fresh fruit at the Bay Of Islands Farmers' MarketThe Bay of Islands Farmers’ Market for fresh local produce The Kerikeri Saturday market is one of my ‘Must Dos’ in Kerikeri – enjoy fresh, seasonal produce and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.Kerikeri Saturday market at the Old Packhouse If you're lucky, you might have Taronui Beach all to yourselves, like we did when we visited.Kerikeri beaches: where are they? Rolands Wood: dogs and bluebellsParadise for dogs: Roland’s Wood dog park in Kerikeri

Filed Under: All, Eat, Kerikeri

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Fresh fruit at the Bay Of Islands Farmers' MarketThe Bay of Islands Farmers’ Market for fresh local produce The Kerikeri Saturday market is one of my ‘Must Dos’ in Kerikeri – enjoy fresh, seasonal produce and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.Kerikeri Saturday market at the Old Packhouse If you're lucky, you might have Taronui Beach all to yourselves, like we did when we visited.Kerikeri beaches: where are they? Rolands Wood: dogs and bluebellsParadise for dogs: Roland’s Wood dog park in Kerikeri

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