Punchbowl is an integrated kiwifruit business situated near Pukekohe, South of Auckland, New Zealand.
Uniquely, we are located just 45 minutes
South of Downtown Auckland, a vibrant
picturesque harbour side city of one
million people: The City of Sails.
In addition to the local harbours/beaches,
Punchbowl is situated only a short drive
from the Northland and Coromandel
recreational areas and Rotorua’s
volcanic wonderland.
We are a medium sized Packer, Grower and Marketer and are part of that vibrant and exciting New Zealand Kiwi Industry.
Excellence in Packing
services to Kiwifruit
Growers > READ MORE
Maximizing Orchard
Profitability > READ MORE
Quality Packaging
Supply Services > READ MORE
A Stimulating Work
Environment > READ MORE
Excellence in Packing services to Kiwifruit Growers
Punchbowl is a medium sized integrated kiwifruit business that grows, packs and stores kiwifruit. We pride ourselves on excellence in our packing services and we focus on maximizing packing, coolstorage and financial outcomes to our kiwifruit Grower customers. We employ leading edge technologies in the form of In-vision electronic fruit grading systems and this ensures we can achieve the best possible export fruit recovery for our Growers.
We have a very strong team of dedicated key staff who have developed to a high level of expertise in quality management and packing efficiency. For the future Punchbowl will be exploring new space in the employment of automated packing systems and possibly semi-robotic capability with an overall focus on getting cost out of our fruit handling processes. We see the employment of new packing technologies as fundamental to the future profitability of the New Zealand kiwifruit industry.
In coolstorage Punchbowl has demonstrated an ability to perform at the highest level with respect to fruit storage performance and this is clearly demonstrated in our Orchard Gate Returns (OGR) for our Growers. For the future our coolstorage strategies must evolve to ensure we eliminate as much double handling and repacking costs as possible. To achieve this our fruit handling systems will need to become more automated and more cost efficient. Our focus is always on the fruit and our handling strategies must ensure we maximize the inherent quality characteristics of the Growers product; it is their livelihood.
Maximizing Orchard Profitability
Punchbowl operates its own major Gold kiwifruit orchard adjacent to the packhouse and leases or manages a range of other orchards. We have a clear focus on orchard productivity and profitability and we have an objective with all leases to improve orchards and to leave them in a better productive state than on our arrival.
Our orchard management teams focus on:
- Total productivity
- Fruit Size
- Dry Matters and Taste
Our management systems have a focus on new orchard technologies with a particular emphasis on fitting such technologies with the local area environmental conditions. The New Zealand industry must look to evolve particularly with respect to new varieties and Punchbowl has a commitment to evolve to and convert to new varieties as and when they become available. Future orchard production systems will need to be clean, safe and sustainable with respect to the orchard practices we employ.
Quality Packaging Supply Services
Punchbowl operates a packaging supply business that specializes in servicing the New Zealand horticulture sector, particularly kiwifruit and apples. This part of the business focuses on servicing the total packaging needs of our customers by supplying the ancillary items (excluding the box) employed in packing fruit. These include flexible plastics, cornerboards, pallet strapping, labels, temperature loggers and other consumables.
Punchbowl Packaging is also embarking on new product strategies in the agriculture industry with a specific emphasis on feed conservation products such as bale wraps, bale nets and silage covers. This program is currently under development and we expect this activity to grow substantially in the coming years.
For the future we will be looking to develop newer technology products such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag systems, MAP (Modified Atmosphere Packaging) bags and bio-degradable plastics. The future of packaging in horticulture is in smarter and more sustainable techniques. RFID identification systems are capable of providing more efficient product management and more extensive and accurate information transfer. The future in plastics is likely to be in materials that are either made from renewable resources or from bio-degradable petroleum products. Punchbowl will be exploring this space for the future.
A Stimulating Work Environment
Punchbowl has a high seasonal labour demand through our main packing season during April, May and June, with a secondary peak through the winter months normally terminating in October. We employ up to 150 valued staff during peak times operating a 9 hour day shift and a 5 – 6 hour evening shift. We like to create a positive and interesting work environment and look to provide a vibrant mix of cultures, foreign and local.
We actively encourage the employment of travelling back-packer type people and our website can assist you in obtaining the required work permits. We have a limited number of on-site low cost back-packer style accommodation units and we look to assist in making your stay an enjoyable experience. Our peak season fits nicely between the summer holiday period and the start of the snow season in the South, as detailed in this website. We can provide that opportunity for you to top-up the bank balance to keep you on your travel pathways. New Zealand does have some special seasonal labour provisions that encourage travelers to work during their stay. Working Holiday Activity.
