In an industry where big is better and small is a joke, how does a mini apple become a global success story?  In this episode of the Co-Hort Podcast, we speak with Chad Harris, Orchard Manager at the largest single Rockit apple block... on the planet! In just a few years, this block will be producing more than 60 million deliciously crunchy nutritious Rockit apples per year - that’s the equivalent of the population of Italy! I know I’m overdoing the exclamation marks, but come on! Those are crazy awesome numbers!!! Chad started his horticulture journey after receiving a “kick up the bum ..read more

Did you realize that the luscious shiny piece of fruit you see on the supermarket shelf, has been 20 years in the making? Their "parents" have had a party and created a bunch of promising seeds, and from those seeds, thousands of seedlings have followed. And from those thousands of seedlings, maybe, just maybe, one will make it to the big time. It's a massive, expensive gamble! Join us as we step inside the fantastic story of breeding a new apple. We'll tap into the mind of Steve Potbury from Fruitcraft NZ, who lives and breathes variety development. Pick up some awesome facts that you never ..read more

Based in small town New Zealand, where everybody knows your name, Oliver Rowling grows apples and pears and raises his kids in classic “Kiwi” style, with room to roam and grandparents at the ready.  During last year’s harvest, Covid came to town and brought with it buckets of fear and uncertainty. Growers get just one chance per year to gain a return on all of the sweat, tears and money they've invested across the year - how does it feel when that one chance is at risk? Oliver shares how terrifying and necessary technology has become, how exciting the Asian market is, why pears can’t ma ..read more

Chris Murphy is a fifth generation grower and co-owner of Murphy Horticulture, an apple and grape orchard based in Blenheim, at the tip of New Zealand's South Island. While his town battles it out for the title of "Most sunshine hours in New Zealand", Chris is focused on honouring those that have gone before him and protecting and growing his legacy of land for the future. With three gorgeous daughters, he's got a lot to strive for as he stakes his claim as one of the last commercial apple growers in the area.  ..read more