Orchard Today

Winifred

Truck-Boxes

Transport

Peter-Hoddy-checking-irriga

Mapua-wharf-loading

Mapau-wharf-queuing

Hoddy-road-plantings

Hoddy-road-orchard

Hoddy-Road

Hoddy-family1

Family-picnic

Drapery-London

Dozer

Picking Platform

The processes and equipment have changed significantly over the years. Wooden ladders have given way to advanced picking platforms with teams selecting suitable fruit from all parts of the tree.

Richard & Sue Hoddy

Vailima Orchard is an orchard business owned by Richard and Sue Hoddy. Richard is a 3rd generation orchardist.

Vailima Orchard

Richard and Sue have two sons.

Tristram, (who has a Diploma in Horticulture Management).

Matthew, with a Bachelor of Commerce (Horticulture) from Lincoln University. Both are actively involved in the family business.

(Tristram, Sue, Richard, Matthew)

First Plantings

Richard preparing the ground for planting.

1966 Peter Hoddy started buying land on Waimea plains. This area was chosen for several reasons. Flat, fertile, free draining land allowed ease of production and improved productivity.

The family is involved from bare land to planting and finally producing orchard.

Care and attention is given to every step and decision in this process to ensure the best final result.

Three Generations

Three generations of Hoddy's with orcharding in the blood.

From the left Tristram, Peter and Richard.

A Family Orchard

All the generations of Hoddy's have been bought up in the Orchard environement.

Staff and extended family have been part of their daily lives.

School Holidays

The boys were kept busy on the the orchard durnig school holidays. Picking juice apples and mowing lawns.

Leisure Time

The Hoddy's all enjoy escape time at their bach in the Pelorus Sounds.

Fishing

The family have a shared passion for the outdoor life style that Nelson offers.

They enjoy boating, fishing, skiing, and sports.