ABOUT US
The Pukekohe Vegetable Growers Association incorporates an area from northern Warkworth to Southern Waikato in the south.
The association has operated in various forms as a grower organisation since the early 1900’s. It represents in excess of 230 vegetable growing businesses from the Auckland and Waikato regions. These vary from small family-run businesses to large corporate organisations - some who have operations throughout New Zealand.
These growers produce a large proportion of fresh vegetables for the Auckland region and New Zealand for winter grown and spring harvested crops, as well as export crops. The exports include onions, potatoes, capsicums, tomatoes, and carrots.
The horticulture sector plays a vital role in New Zealand’s economy, contributing significantly to domestic food supply, exports, and regional employment. For the most up-to-date horticulture industry statistics, please refer to Fresh Facts, the annual industry report published by United Fresh New Zealand Incorporated, which provides comprehensive information on production, exports, land use, and the sector’s economic contribution.
The Pukekohe Vegetable Growers Association has an elected committee of President and approximately 20 Executive Members. This committee meets monthly to provide a forum for discussion and action on any relevant issues and to ensure that information is passed back to grower members.
ASSOCIATION HISTORY
The rich productive soils and the temperate climate favours the growing and horticulture industries. The name Pukekohe means “Hill of the Kohekohe”, New Zealand’s native mahogany. Pukekohe lies between the Auckland and Waikato regions (52 kms from Auckland and 97 kms from Hamilton). The town developed as a service town for the horticultural and agricultural industries and has now broadened into a thriving and modern community – a destination for shopping and recreation.
Pukekohe has been called the food basket of New Zealand.
Annual rainfall for Auckland is around 1142mm and annual sunshine hours are approximately 2149 hours. Parts of Pukekohe are frost-free – giving an early advantage over the rest of the country.
The local vegetable growing industry is acclaimed for its innovative growing methods. The Franklin Sustainability Project for environmental care won the prestigious Ministry for the Environment Green Ribbon Award in 2000. The project was initiated by the Pukekohe Vegetable Growers Association to champion and promote best practice guidelines amongst the commercial vegetable growers of the area for the sustainable management of the natural and physical resources of the district.
Pukekohe is also home to Te Ahikawariki | Vegetable Industry Centre of Excellence, a dedicated hub supporting innovation, research, and capability development within New Zealand’s vegetable industry. The Centre brings together growers, researchers, and industry partners to strengthen the future of sustainable vegetable production.
The Pukekohe Vegetable Growers Association is affiliated with Horticulture New Zealand - the National Industry Body.
OUR PEOPLE
The Executive Committee of the Association is comprised of the following:
PRESIDENT - Simon Wilcox
VICE PRESIDENT -
PAST PRESIDENT - Kirit Makan
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Aaron Balle
Andrew Hutchinson
Austin Singh Purewal
Bevan Roach
Bharat Jivan
Bhupen Master
Brendan Balle
Brent Wilcox
Carl Hodgson
Daniel Fong
Dilip Bhana
Garry Yee
Grant Ryan
Hunter Aarts
Joe Balle
Keith Vallabh
Scott Fong
If you would like to contact the committee please use our contact page.