Author: Chris Robinson

Eagle-eyed members have sent in some snippets:

Continue reading Snippets

It is with great sadness that we share the news of a long-time member’s death. Terry Westbury was well-known in the hazelnut industry, especially to those in the Nelson and Marlborough regions. Our condolences to Sandra and family.

Photo: Sandra and Terry Westbury

Rose McDermott and Murray Redpath share some of their memories of Terry.

Murray: It is with sadness that we note the death of Terry Westbury, one of our hazelnut pioneers. Terry and Sandra developed one of the first large hazelnut orchards in Nelson. They didn’t just choose Whiteheart but also tried a wide range of other cultivars. They invested in and tried machinery as the harvest increased and moved into processing part of their crop. They have hosted the HGANZ members a number of times when we have held our field days in Nelson and assisted me with nut samples and data when I was doing the SFF Projects.

Rose: Terry and Sandy have been members of the Hazelnut Growers Assn for many years – the first field day I organised for the Nelson-Tasman region involved a visit to their orchard where Terry gave an invaluable presentation on health and safety in the orchard.  For many of us who work in off-orchard jobs and think about ‘health and safety’ as applied to our workplaces, it was a very timely reminder of the need to consider the hazards on our properties and how to manage them for our own safety as well as for any visitors or visiting contractors/tradespeople. Terry was very generous in sharing his knowledge and patient in answering many questions.

As well as hazelnut trees, Terry and Sandy have fruit trees, including persimmons, which were delicious!

Our more recent visit to the orchard was fascinating: seeing the growth and management of the trees – including Jefferson – as well as a tour of the recently built commercial kitchen and seeing the harvest equipment put to use.  Grace walking down the row operating the harvest, 8+ months pregnant was not a sight to be forgotten!

Terry and Sandy have been great company at our field days being excellent dinner companions as well as knowledgeable about hazelnuts and very good to talk with and ask questions about them. He will be sorely missed at future field days.

The AGM was held on Saturday, 21st June at the Rolleston Community Rooms, Selwyn, Canterbury. Twenty one people attended.

Chair Pete Barrowclough welcomed attendees and introduced Associate Professor Clive Kaiser (Lincoln University) who generously assists the Association with his time and knowledge. Unfortunately, the new Executive, Christine Robinson, was unable to attend because of Covid.

Continue reading 2024 AGM Summary and New Committe

In lieu of the Winter Seminer Series, Christine has found some interesting hazelnut videos to watch.

Continue reading Hazelnuts on You Tube

HGANZ – Chair’s report for the year ended June 2024
At last year’s AGM in June, we took the step of increasing the subs because the
committee recognized the need to employ a part time executive officer if we were to
ever make progress on the industries goals. Fortunately, this was supported by
those present at the AGM.

Continue reading 2024 AGM President’s Report

Jenny and Mark Harris Orchard – Rangiora/Cust

by Rose McDermott

It’s a labour of love to keep a hazelnut orchard, rather than a commercial enterprise – particularly given the investment in machinery. 

For orchard maintenance, Mark and Jenny have given up on de-suckering and spraying, the yield didn’t justify the cost of the sprays.  Their approach is minimalist, which has so far not affected yield. Pre-harvest they flail mow the orchard floor, blow the nuts, then harvest. On a good day they can harvest 2 blocks in a day. Post harvest they water the trees through autumn for the next year’s crop.

Continue reading 2024 Winter Field Days