Story: Apples and pears

Many areas of New Zealand are well suited to growing apples and pears. New Zealand orchards have some of the highest apple yields in the world, and the popular varieties Royal Gala, Braeburn and Jazz were developed in New Zealand.

Story by John Palmer
Main image: 1930s apple poster

Story summary

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Early days

Apples and pears (known as pipfruit) have been grown in New Zealand since Europeans first settled in the country. In 1819 the missionary Samuel Marsden planted the first trees – one of which is still growing at Kerikeri.

The first apple exports were to Chile, in 1888, and then to Britain in the 1890s.

Areas

Nelson and Hawke’s Bay are the main areas where apples are grown. There are also orchards in Central Otago and Waikato.

Climate

Apple and pear trees are deciduous – they lose their leaves and become dormant in winter. Once the new leaves and flowers start to grow in spring, they can be damaged by frost. Hail can also damage fruit.

Soils

Each fruit crop removes a large amount of nutrients from the soil, so the soils in orchards need to be fertile, or have fertiliser added.

Varieties

Today, almost 80% of apples grown in New Zealand are Royal Gala or Braeburn – varieties that were first bred in New Zealand. In the past, a wider range of varieties were grown.

New Zealand grows several European pear varieties, and Asian (nashi) pears.

Diseases

Fireblight is a serious bacterial disease of pipfruit, and was brought into New Zealand in the early 20th century. Because Australia has no fireblight, it has banned imports of New Zealand apples and pears.

Black spot and powdery mildew are common fungal diseases of pipfruit.

Pests

Leafroller caterpillars, codling moths, woolly apple aphids, leaf curling midges and red spider mites are all pests of pipfruit. They are controlled by spraying, or using other insects that prey on them.

Harvesting and storage

Fruit should be harvested at the right time to taste good and last well. Apples and pears are picked by hand, from February to April. They are kept in cool stores, with a low temperature and a controlled mix of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Marketing

The Apple and Pear Marketing Board was set up in 1948 to market the fruit locally and overseas. Today there are more than 90 exporters. Apples and pears are sold in Britain, Europe, the US and South-East Asia.

About 60% of New Zealand apples and pears are exported, 12% are eaten in New Zealand, and the rest are processed, mainly into juice.

How to cite this page:

John Palmer, 'Apples and pears', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/apples-and-pears (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by John Palmer, published 24 November 2008