Wellington-Horowhenua Tree Crops | Ōtaki-Levin Tree Crops Field trip

Sunday 25th May, 2025 - 10.30 am - 3 pm

Join us for a relaxed and inspiring day exploring two very different - but equally interesting - properties in the Ōtaki - Levin region. Whether you are new to tree crops or have years of experience, this is a great opportunity to connect, learn, and share ideas.

About the Properties

Address for both properties will be provided upon registration.

Gordon & Karina Cameron – Ōtaki
Set on a property with a rich horticultural legacy, Gordon and Karina’s home orchard includes mature apples, plums, pears, citrus and feijoas, with newer additions like blueberries and grapevines. Formerly a commercial flower-growing site, the land still holds traces of its daffodil, dahlia, and orchid-filled past. Over the past five years, the Camerons have been steadily transforming the space - restoring and replanting while embracing its history and potential.

Kim Young & Duncan Sargent – Levin
Kim and Duncan’s 0.7ha block is a dynamic young project blending ecological restoration with productive planting. Since 2019, they’ve planted over 1,200 native and fruit trees, working to establish a thriving riparian zone and diverse orchard. From feijoas to figs and citrus to quince, their site is a great example of learning by doing, sharing both the wins and the lessons from the early years of property development.

Programme for the Day

• 10.30am - Arrive at Gordon & Karina Cameron’s
  Registration, tea/coffee and welcome
  Explore the orchard, vege gardens, and meet their two corgi’s that pretend to be farm dogs.
  
  
• 12.15pm – Lunch
  Bring your lunch and a chair if you can. Trestle tables and some seating available in the barn. Tea/coffee and hot water (urn) provided.
  
  
• 1.30pm - Arrive at Kim Young & Duncan Sargent’s
  Walk through a six-year-old planting project blending native and productive species, with plenty of lessons shared along the way.
  

What to Bring

• Packed lunch
  
• A chair (if possible)
  
• Water bottle
  
• Gumboots or suitable footwear - expect uneven or muddy ground
  
• Plant money if you’d like to purchase or swap!
  

Important Notes

• Well-behaved dogs welcome at Kim’s, but no dogs at Gordon & Karina’s, please
  
• Toilets are available at both sites
  
• Drinking water provided
  
• Plant sales/welcome tables at each location
  
• The event will go ahead wet or fine - there are covered areas at both stops
  
• Hazards include uneven ground, an unfenced stream, and farm equipment - please take care