Regional Supreme Winners 2023: Olivia Manusauloa and Josh Easton of Baygold Ltd – Horticulture

Kiwifruit development and management company Baygold is a great example of a business that is integrating environmental excellence while producing kiwifruit.

Baygold’s orchard, The Station, spans 32ha of rolling Bay of Plenty land, with 16ha of this planted in orchards. The locally owned and operated business has been under the careful guidance of the McBride family for more than 30 years, with Graeme Neilson joining the team 10 years later.

The team’s vision is to ensure that development of the business is balanced with caring for the environment. Their approach is based on a cross-business foundation of caring, inspiring, performing and growing.

A 2.5ha wetland was commissioned and developed before the orchard’s construction began – just one illustration of the importance given to the environment. A partnership between local iwi, council and government, the wetland feeds into Little Waihi Estuary, slowing and filtering water. The beauty of the wetland has also made it a popular spot for people to visit and enjoy.

More than 17ha of carefully eco-sourced native plants have been planted across the Baygold properties, incorporating about 20 different species. The native forests have been planted in a way that creates natural corridors for birds and increases biodiversity within an otherwise predominantly monoculture region.

Taking it one step further, the team is now exploring how they can harness the carbon sequestration potential of the indigenous plants.

When it comes to the orchards, Baygold is one of New Zealand’s first companies to participate in a carbon zero trial, with an aim of delivering carbon positive kiwifruit to the market.

With its carefully balanced approach, Baygold is caring for the environment while sustaining a profitable kiwifruit business that supports up to 100 employees.

As well as receiving this year’s Regional Supreme Award, Olivia and Josh also received, Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award, Hill Laboratories Agri-Science Award and Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award.