Opotiki’s Primary Industries
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SEEKA
Ōpōtiki’s temperate climate makes it an ideal place to grow kiwifruit, providing plenty of employment opportunities for locals and visitors during the annual harvest. Whether you’re picking fruit off the vines in our local orchards, or joining our outstanding packhouse team, you’ll contribute to our local economy and help make this community a great place to live. The Seeka OPAC site has been a key employer for over three decades and our wider company operates post-harvest facilities across the North Island. Together, we offer locals and seasonal workers the chance to be involved in one of our country’s top-performing industries. New Zealand is the largest global exporter of kiwifruit, supplying over 50 countries worldwide. Around 190 million trays of Class 1 fruit will be exported in the 2021/22 season, and this is predicted to rise by 35 per cent to reach 238 million trays by 2025/26. |
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Ōpōtiki’s community will directly benefit from this growth, with many new orchard developments underway in this region to meet demand for green, gold and now red, kiwifruit varieties.
Fruit quality is of the upmost importance at Seeka OPAC and we work hard to be the best in the business. We have a loyal base of growers and employ up to 800 people in Ōpōtiki during the annual harvest from March to June each year.
We’re also committed to looking after our staff and supporting the wider community. This is a fantastic place to live and work so come and join us today.
Fruit quality is of the upmost importance at Seeka OPAC and we work hard to be the best in the business. We have a loyal base of growers and employ up to 800 people in Ōpōtiki during the annual harvest from March to June each year.
We’re also committed to looking after our staff and supporting the wider community. This is a fantastic place to live and work so come and join us today.
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EASTPACK
EastPack is New Zealand’s largest kiwifruit post-harvest operation. We pack and store NewZealand grown kiwifruitto be shipped all over the world for people to enjoy. We’re on the lookout for great people to join our teams in Te Puke, Katikati, Edgecumbe and Ōpōtiki for the 2021 Kiwifruit season! We need forklift operators, stackers, packers, strappers, graders, box makers, tray preps – we have something to suit everyone! Work commences in March, so come and get amongst the action for 12 - 24 weeks! At EastPack, we don’t just have jobs – there’s more fruit, more people, more positions, more smiles and more fun! Contact us now at www.eastpack.co.nz to find out more. |
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AGRICULTURE
The mild climate and high sunshine hours gives Ōpōtiki it’s own micro climate and the area is well suited to a wide variety of farming. Dairying has been the stand-out for the last 50years. Dry stock farming, beef and now days to a lesser extent sheep and deer also contribute to the area’s economy.
The mild climate and high sunshine hours gives Ōpōtiki it’s own micro climate and the area is well suited to a wide variety of farming. Dairying has been the stand-out for the last 50years. Dry stock farming, beef and now days to a lesser extent sheep and deer also contribute to the area’s economy.
AQUACULTURE
Aquaculture offers huge potential for the economy of the Ōpōtiki District. The local Ōpōtiki tribe Whakatōhea has always had a relationship with the sea and has been a driving force behind the development of “Open Ocean Mussels” which is a consortium of Whakatōhea and local Ōpōtiki investors. Exciting times last year when a small initial harvest was made of Green Lipped Mussels. These proved to be of excellent quality. Moving on to this year a much larger crop is at present being harvested yielding a top quality mussel. The development of the farm is ongoing with only 130 hectares of the 3,800 hectares being utilized at present. Although Mussels are on top of the present agenda, the license held covers a variety of other seafoods which will systematically be investigated. The future of the Ōpōtiki District Councils Harbour Development project, is a vital ingredient in the development of the Mussel Farm. This would allow associated processing of the shellfish to be based in Ōpōtiki. The Aquaculture venture and the associated Harbour undertaking has had great support both at local and regional level and is fundamental to the future well being of the Ōpōtiki District.
Aquaculture offers huge potential for the economy of the Ōpōtiki District. The local Ōpōtiki tribe Whakatōhea has always had a relationship with the sea and has been a driving force behind the development of “Open Ocean Mussels” which is a consortium of Whakatōhea and local Ōpōtiki investors. Exciting times last year when a small initial harvest was made of Green Lipped Mussels. These proved to be of excellent quality. Moving on to this year a much larger crop is at present being harvested yielding a top quality mussel. The development of the farm is ongoing with only 130 hectares of the 3,800 hectares being utilized at present. Although Mussels are on top of the present agenda, the license held covers a variety of other seafoods which will systematically be investigated. The future of the Ōpōtiki District Councils Harbour Development project, is a vital ingredient in the development of the Mussel Farm. This would allow associated processing of the shellfish to be based in Ōpōtiki. The Aquaculture venture and the associated Harbour undertaking has had great support both at local and regional level and is fundamental to the future well being of the Ōpōtiki District.
Open Ocean’s Mussel boat the Northern Quest at work off the coast.
FORESTRY
There is large tracts of land planted in exotic forest, mainly pine in the Ōpōtiki District. Harvesting and replanting has been ongoing for some years. Many logging trucks may be encountered heading for the ports.
There is large tracts of land planted in exotic forest, mainly pine in the Ōpōtiki District. Harvesting and replanting has been ongoing for some years. Many logging trucks may be encountered heading for the ports.
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HORTICULTURE
Kiwifruit is a well established and expanding industry in the surrounds of Ōpōtiki and there has been a rapid expansion on the East Cape around Omaio, Te Kaha and as far as Raukokore. Full time employment figures have lifted markedly in recent years during harvesting and packing. There are various Avocado blocks spread around the district. More recently there has been a surge in plantings of Macadamia nuts with the Macadamia Nursery at Torere supplying most of New Zealand’s macadamia plants. |
Kiwifruit packing line – Photo by Brian Young
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Ōpōtiki Mussel Factory & Mussel Farm
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