Olive Growing in New Zealand

Grey River Argus, 4 June 1948, Page 5

Olive Growing in New Zealand

HASTINGS, June 3.

Far from their native Lebanon, olives are flourishing in an experimental plot on the banks of the Tuki Tuki River at Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay. It is believed that these are the first olives to be cultivated in New Zealand, and the success of the experiment offers many interesting commercial possibilities. A number of trees of various species were imported by the Department of Agriculture in 1941 and planted at Havelock North and the Mission stations at Greenmeadows. Apparent’/ finding the mild Hawke’s Bay climate to their liking, the trees have flourished on both sites. The species planted were Hardie’s Mammoth, Lucca, Pig ale and Verdale.

In their seven years’ growth the trees at Havelock North have attained heights up to 15 feet, and two trees are cropping heavily this season. The fruit is egg-shaped, about an inch in length, turning from light red to black in maturity, and has the peculiar sharp taste of its kind. The uses of olives are manifold, and there is every prospect of olives being grown successfully on a commercial scale in suitable districts of the Dominion.