Blair Dyer and Steve Atkinson of Kiwi Heights 

2025 Bay of Plenty Finalists: Blair Dyer and Steve Atkinson of Kiwi Heights – Kiwifruit

With a keen eye for innovation and a deep respect of the land, the team behind Kiwi Heights are successfully striking a balance between profit and sustainability. 

The Atkinson family has owned this farm for more than 50 years, with kiwifruit vines planted in 2006. Since 2020, third-generation farmer Blair Dyer has been managing the kiwifruit crop, working closely with the Atkinsons to gradually transform more land into thriving orchards while preserving its natural beauty. 

Today the 190.6ha (145ha effective) Te Puke property features 27.2ha of kiwifruit orchards. Young stock are grazed across 167ha, with this land interspersed with 5.5ha of mature forestry and 7.83ha of native plants to offset greenhouse gas emissions. A small number of livestock are also raised for dairy units in the Waikato. 
 
One of the most significant initiatives has been the continual development of kiwifruit orchards while leaving much of the natural environment untouched. This has been done by developing the tops of hills and keeping marginal land for either native plantings or low-impact dry stock grazing. 

The strategic planting of native trees is stabilising steep slopes and offseting greenhouse gas emissions – further enhancing the farm’s ecological footprint. 

By leveraging advanced technology, Blair precisely targets water and fertiliser to where they are needed most, reducing waste and minimising environmental impact. He is trialling the use of drones to spot-spray weeds – rather than blanket spraying – further reducing the use of chemicals and protecting the sensitive ecosystem. 

The judges were impressed by the team’s holistic approach that combines robust management practices with a deep commitment to environmental stewardship. The strong relationship between Blair and the Atkinsons – combined with Blair’s entrepreneurial spirit – has positioned the farm for long-term success.  

Kiwi Heights offers a compelling model for sustainable agriculture, demonstrating that profit and planet can coexist.