Growing Kiwifruit gold
Andy Smith and his partner own and manage Pot Of Gold, a 5 -hectare kiwifruit orchard in Kerikeri that produces around 160 tonnes of export-grade fruit annually. Adopting fertigation has transformed their orchard management as they transitioned from Hayward kiwifruit to Sungold and expanded operations from 1.1 hectares to over 3 hectares of productive vines.
This couple started in the kiwifruit industry after retirement when they were “looking for something to keep us occupied”, Andy tells us. Engaging in their kiwifruit venture has been a steep learning curve but a journey they describe as very rewarding. “It was, and still is a big learning curve”.

The orchard initially covered 1.1 hectares of canopy, with two of them managing daily operations and contractors assisting during peak periods like pruning and harvesting.
The need for more efficient operations became critical as the orchard grew. It has expanded to 5 hectares, and they transitioned from green “Hayward” vines to the “Sungold” G3 variety.
Fertilizing made easy
Fertilizer application is traditionally a time-consuming, labour-intensive and expensive task. However, their adoption of an effective fertigation system has streamlined processes and improved outcomes throughout the growing season.
Growing operations
They have installed two Tefen pumps on the orchard. Initially, they used the TF5 pump, which was adequate for the smaller operation. However, after expanding and irrigating approximately 60,000 litres over 12 hours daily using a dripper system, they encountered pressure issues with the fertigation on higher elevation blocks.
After seeking advice from Amir Lahav at Mixrite, they upgraded to the TF25 pump. While they acknowledge the TF10 could have sufficed, they opted for the more robust TF25 as it met current demands while allowing for potential future expansion.
The pump’s efficiency provides the peace of mind they wanted, knowing they could further expand operations should they want to.

Benefits of fertigation
Adopting fertigation has transformed their orchard management in the following ways:
- Time Efficiency: Fertilizers are applied seamlessly during irrigation, reducing manual labour.
- Precision: Nutrients are delivered directly to the root zone, improving uptake.
- Consistency: Regular application promotes uniform growth and higher yields.
- Water Conservation: Integration with the irrigation system minimises waste.
- Cost Savings: Reduced fertilizer use and optimised water management lower expenses.
The switch to fertigation and the investment in MixRite pumps have proven invaluable for enhancing productivity and simplifying operations on Smith’s growing orchard.
“Happy to report that the pump is running in a very “relaxed mode” and coping well”, Andy tells us.