Robert Teal of Bruntwood Gardens 

2025 Waikato Finalists: Robert Teal of Bruntwood Gardens –

A Cambridge orchard is proving that you don’t have to be a large-scale operation to be successful. At Bruntwood Gardens, Robert Teal has built a thriving business on a relatively small piece of land, demonstrating a talent for high-quality production and a resourceful approach to horticulture. 

The property was a dairy farm when Robert bought it 44 years ago and within five years he had converted it to horticulture. Over time, he subdivided the property, and redeveloped today’s 1.5ha orchard that supplies early berries to Auckland supermarkets year-round. 

In the 2024 season, the orchard produced about 5,000 cartons of fruit – an increase of almost 1,000 on the previous season. The block is still maturing, meaning production is expected to keep climbing. 

Robert has faced numerous challenges over the years – successfully tackling them head-on by being innovative and consistently adapting. One of his key strategies is to cultivate consistently high-quality berries all year around. 

Efficiency is a priority, with strategies implemented to maximise value rather than volume. This includes the intentional breeding of cultivars that align with early season maturity – capitalising on a high return for each tray. Robert also experiments with new fruit varieties to align with demand. 

The judges were impressed with Robert’s resourcefulness – for example, the orchard’s innovative, self-designed tunnel house. He has also converted pushchairs into picking trolleys, has repurposed an electric golf cart so it can be used for spraying, and recycles cane growth for mulch. 

Other environmentally conscious practices include implementing innovative water-saving techniques across the orchard. 

Bruntwood Gardens serves as a valuable example for aspiring New Zealand growers. It demonstrates that combining a strong vision with innovation can ensure that even small-scale operations can thrive in the competitive world of horticulture.