SUPPORTING THE KIWI OLIVE INDUSTRY
Nestled in the foothills of the Brynderyn Mountains, Olives on the Hill is where Chris and Linda Smith combine their passion for olive growing with support for New Zealand’s olive industry.
A picturesque olive grove since 2012, this beautiful rural setting is also home to The Grove Supply Co. “We provide anything that a small-to-medium-scale olive grower would need, from harvesting equipment, de-leafers, nets, rakes, and bins to a huge range of fustis (olive oil storage vessels), stainless-steel tanks, taps, filters, and cappers,” says Linda.
The Grove Supply Co. is the only official New Zealand distributor of the ATRAX-4 harvesting machine from Spacesonic in Greece, all Sansone oil storage products from Southern Italy, and Italian-made Zanon harvesting equipment. Each item carries the guarantee of quality that comes from these established European suppliers, trusted by the New Zealand olive industry for decades.
Chris and Linda are always on the lookout for new and improved, innovative equipment from Europe. Recent examples include the harvest Net-Cart, featuring an umbrella-shaped net to keep olives off the ground and wheels for easy positioning on hillsides, and a 50kg/hr boutique olive press, perfect for small-scale growers producing their own premium olive oil.
Orders to Europe are usually placed at the end of June. Larger items may require special orders, and popular products sell out fast, so pre-ordering is recommended to secure stock for the next harvest.
“I really believe the olive industry can compete on the world stage, but we have to compete on quality,” says Linda. “We source only high-quality brands, and customer service is paramount. Quality equipment is key to making the best of your crop.”
While The Grove Supply Co. products are available online, Chris and Linda welcome visitors to the grove to chat about olives, taste the oil, and see the equipment firsthand. Appointments are recommended to ensure they’re available and not out working in the grove.