The Christchurch family growing vegetables for 150 years

Nine To Noon

The Oakley family's legacy of growing vegetables on the Canterbury plains spans 150 years. Great Great Grandad John Oakley began growing out in Halkett after arriving in New Zealand from the United Kingdom in the 1870s. The love of growing vegetables has been passed down through the generations and today the fifth generation Robin Oakley runs the organisation. They grow potatoes, pumpkin, broccoli and beetroot and their products are in supermarkets nationwide. Oakley's Premium Fresh Vegetables won the Spirit of New Zealand Award at the Outstanding Food Producer Awards earlier this year. The business also includes a sixth generation - Robin's daughter April has been brought on board.