After a 30-year career in dairying, Chris and Lorraine Jordan sold their Reporoa farm in 2017.
Attracted by the climate, they moved 130 kilometres north to a Katikati avocado orchard.
“We wanted a change of pace, though at that stage weren’t ready to fully retire. We wanted to stay busy. An orchard appealed, and during pruning and harvest for avocados, you can do all the work yourself or bring in contractors to assist with as much or as little as you desire,” says Chris.
Set on a 6.25-hectare block, positioned at 70 metres above sea level, and facing north to maximise the warmth of the Bay of Plenty climate, three hectares of the property was planted in Hass avocados in 2006, so they were mature and producing when Chris and Lorraine arrived.
“We removed every second tree and reduced the height of those that remained. We made the orchard more park-like, and easier to work in, therefore increasing productivity,” he says.
With production optimised, the orchard has a great crop set for the coming season.
Now ready to downsize again, the Jordans have decided to sell the orchard as a going concern, engaging Andrew Fowler of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Tauranga to undertake their marketing campaign.
Andrew credits Chris and Lorraine with how well the property, both orchard and four-bedroom home, are presented.
“Lovingly developed and maintained, this property offers an opportunity to step into a lifestyle of productivity, peace, and natural beauty,” says Andrew.
He says the orchard shows the benefit of the meticulous care the Jordans have given it.
“A well-tended mature orchard of fruiting avocado trees, plus about 40 pollinators, it is ready to produce some excellent crops. The trees are very open in the middle, so able to hang a great crop both inside and outside the canopy.”
As well as the avocados, many young feijoa trees have been planted around the property, while additional fruit crops include citrus and blueberries.
Built in 2008, the home itself is generous and relaxed, featuring two lounges, and a luxurious master suite complete with twin walk-in robes, plus a private deck and serene views.
“We often host family to stay: children and grandchildren. Meanwhile, with the decks surrounding it, and the lounges, the house is ideal for entertaining. We enjoy inviting the neighbours over, and do so regularly,” says Lorraine.
A log burner in the lower lounge helps utilise the avocado prunings, radiating heat up through the rest of the house.
As well as the home and orchard, two hectares of the property is in mature 30-year-old cypress and macrocarpa forest, ready to be harvested as soon as a new owner decides the time is right.
Beyond a grand stone entrance way comprising stone pillars, a tarsealed right of way accesses the property. Extensive concrete parking connects the double garage to the large implement shed and workshop, which contains the machinery required to successfully run the orchard. This includes a front-end loader, a cherry picker and a ride on mower, all of which are included in the ‘going concern’ sale. The shed also has ample space to accommodate a campervan, a boat, or even both.
“This is a sought-after high quality neighbourhood. It will make a great home, particularly to suit someone looking at semi-retirement,” says Andrew.
A new owner might also convert the orchard to early start kiwifruit.
The property is for sale for $2.55 million plus GST, if any.
View the online listing > Click here.
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