Duncan & Julie Aylwin
Treyford Holdings

For two decades, this couple has operated their 10.5ha property with a clear strategy – to leverage the commercial success of high-value horticulture to fund extensive ecological stewardship.

Duncan and Julie Aylwin have successfully turned their kiwifruit orchard into an economic engine that drives significant sustainability initiatives, proving that intensive production and environmental restoration can coexist.

The financial backbone of Treyford Holdings is a 1.1ha canopy of Gold kiwifruit that produced 16,000 trays over the past season. With new grafts coming online, the orchard provides the capital necessary to retire marginal land which the Aylwins have dedicated to native restoration.

The result is a landscape transformed by nearly 6,000 native trees. Large-scale riparian plantings feature kahikatea and kauri, with their growth supported by the active trapping of possums and rats.

The ecological payoff is clearly visible. The property’s waterways are clear enough to support watercress, while the return of tui and kōtare (kingfisher) signal the property’s recovering biodiversity. The judges said this work will continue to improve wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration and overall landscape resilience.

Beyond the vines and trees, the Aylwins have a smart, circular approach to diversification. A small beef herd grazes the pasture, integrated into the system through resource efficiency – for example, low-quality kiwifruit is utilised as high-energy stock feed.

The livestock operation prioritises animal welfare, with calves left with their mothers for extended periods to ensure robust development.

With the land thriving, the couple’s focus is shifting toward the future. Succession planning is well underway, with their son, Scott, becoming increasingly involved in operations.

By bringing in the next generation now, the family is ensuring that both the business acumen and environmental vision cultivated over the past 20 years will continue to thrive.