DISCIPLINE 02 of 08 · FACTULTY-LED TOURS
HORTICULTURE
World-class produce,
grown right here
New Zealand's horticulture industry is a global powerhouse - from Hawke's Bay's world-famous apple and stone fruit orchards to the Bay of Plenty's kiwifruit operations and Marlborough's market gardens. For horticulture students, this is the industry working at its absolute best.
7-21
DAYS
10-45
STUDENTS
NZ
BOTH ISLANDS
100%
CUSTON BUILT
WHY NEW ZEALAND
A horticulture industry punching above its weight
New Zealand's horticulture sector generates over NZ$7 billion in export revenue annually - extraordinary for a country of just 5 million people. The industry leads the world in innovation across post-harvest technology, precision irrigation, sustainable growing practices, and integrated pest management.
What makes NZ horticulture particularly compelling for students is the scale of diversity packed into a small geographic area. Within a single tour, students can move from large-scale commercial kiwifruit operations in the Bay of Plenty, to boutique stone fruit orchards in Central Otago, to market gardens and vegetable production in Canterbury - each with its own climate, soil profile, and production system.
"New Zealand horticulture shows students what the industry looks like when it's operating at a world-class level - efficient, innovative, and entirely focused on quality."
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NZ$7B+ export industry - kiwifruit alone is NZ's fourth largest export, generating over NZ$3 billion annually
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Global innovation leader - NZ developed the gold kiwifruit (SunGold), revolutionising the global kiwifruit market
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Diverse growing regions - from subtropical Northland to cool-climate Central Otago, a full spectrum of horticultural environments
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Sustainability at scale - NZ's Integrated Management programme (IMP) is a world-leading model for sustainable commercial horticulture
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Everything managed for your faculty
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Custom itinerary co-designed with your faculty around specific learning outcomes
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All transport, accommodation and meals fully managed
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Orchard, packhouse and post-harvest facility access arranged
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Grower, agronomist and industry expert speaker sessions
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Dedicated Dreamspoke guide throughout the entire programme
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Plant & Food Research and university faculty visits included
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Māori horticulture and land use perspectives woven in
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24/7 on-ground support from arrival to departure
KEY SITES
Where we take your students
Every horticulture itinerary is built around your faculty's specific learning objectives. These are our most visited and most educationally rich sites across both islands.
01
Bay of Plenty · Kiwifruit
Zespri & Bay of Plenty Kiwifruit Operations
The heart of New Zealand's kiwifruit industry - home to Zespri, the world's largest marketer of kiwifruit. Students tour orchards growing both Green and SunGold varieties, visit packhouses, and meet growers and agronomists managing one of NZ's most valuable horticultural exports.
02
Hawke's Bay · Pipfruit & stone fruit
Hawke's Bay Orchards
New Zealand's premier apple and pear growing region - Hawke's Bay produces over 70% of NZ's apple crop. Students visit large commercial pipfruit operations, stone fruit orchards growing cherries, peaches and nectarines, and meet growers managing complex integrated crop protection programmes.
03
Otago Peninsula · Coastal wildlife
Plant & Food Research - Auckland
New Zealand's leading horticultural research organisation - students engage with plant scientists working on new varieties, pest and disease management, post-harvest technology, and sustainable production systems. A structured academic anchor for any horticulture programme.
04
Central Otago · Cool-climate production
Central Otago Orchards & Cherries
New Zealand's most southerly and highest-altitude growing region - famous for its Pinot Noir but equally impressive for its cherry, apricot, and stone fruit production. Students see how cool-climate horticulture differs from warmer regions and meet growers managing unique frost and irrigation challenges.
05
Canterbury · Vegetable production
Canterbury Vegetable & Arable Operations
The Canterbury Plains supply a significant portion of New Zealand's fresh vegetable production - onions, potatoes, brassicas, and process vegetables grown at scale on some of NZ's most productive flat land. Students observe precision irrigation, soil management and mechanised harvesting.
06
Lincoln · Academic research
Lincoln University - Horticulture Department
New Zealand's specialist land-based university - horticulture faculty meetings, research plot tours, and presentations from NZ's leading horticultural scientists. Integrates seamlessly with any academic programme objective.
SAMPLE PROGRAMME
What a horticulture tour looks like
This is a sample outline only - every real programme is designed from scratch around your faculty's specific learning objectives, student level, and available dates. Seasonal timing is important for horticulture tours — we'll advise on the best window for your discipline focus.
SAMPLE PROGRAMME - 9 DAYS - BOTH ISLANDS
New Zealand Horticulture Immersion - Bay of Plenty to Central Otago
Day 1
Auckland arrival & Plant & Food Research
Welcome briefing, Plant & Food Research institute visit, introduction to NZ horticulture industry overview
Day 2
Bay of Plenty - Kiwifruit operations
Zespri head office and orchard visit, SunGold and Green kiwifruit orchards, packhouse tour, grower Q&A
Day 3
Bay of Plenty - Post-harvest & export
Coolstore and post-harvest technology, quality grading systems, export logistics and Zespri marketing presentation
Day 4
Hawke's Bay - Pipfruit orchards
Large-scale apple and pear operations, integrated crop protection, orchard management and irrigation systems
Day 5
Hawke's Bay - Stone fruit & wine grapes
Stone fruit orchards, viticulture overlap, afternoon at a Hawke's Bay winery with horticultural focus
Day 6
Wellington & Cook Strait crossing
Wellington city orientation, Interislander ferry to South Island, overnight Blenheim
Day 7
Canterbury - Vegetable production
Canterbury Plains vegetable farms, precision irrigation, mechanised harvesting, soil management systems
Day 8
Central Otago - Cool-climate orchards
Cherry and stone fruit orchards, frost management, cool-climate growing challenges, afternoon wine region tour
Day 9
Lincoln University & Christchurch departure
Lincoln University horticulture department, research presentations, group debrief, Christchurch departure
* Seasonal timing matters for horticulture tours - harvest season (Feb–May) offers the richest on-site experiences. We'll advise on the best window for your specific discipline focus. North Island-only and South Island-only versions available.