This is the place

I moved to Kerikeri about 7 years ago. This year I am taking a year's leave from teaching Art at Northland College, in Kaikohe, to find out about the shelterbelts that line the streets of Kerikeri.

Many of these shelterbelts date back to the late 1920s when the first orchards were established as part of a lifestyle block property development being promoted by the North Auckland Land Development Corporation. The brochures advertised Kerikeri as "a natural Sanatorium, with a climate all its own...... The Kerikeri air is always invigorating, refreshing and tonic.... The sea breezes come in loaded with ozone and saturate the air with that very insinuating acidity some people liken to the effervescence of champagne..."

Many of the first group of settlers were British Colonials who had served in the military, navy or in business in China, India and other places. They were looking to retire to a warm climate but still maintain an income. Crops grown included passionfruit, tree tomatoes (tamarillos) and citrus.

Of course the Orchard Industry, which has had its ups and downs over the years, is still an important part of the character of Kerikeri, although in recent years the emphasis has moved toward non productive lifestyle blocks and subdivisions, as more people take advantage of the "natural Sanatorium" that is Kerikeri.

This has meant that shelterbelts have been removed and the best deep rich volcanic soil which runs along Kerikeri Rd has been covered by roading and development. Of course there are many keen gardeners and most plants grow exceptionally well.

I have included a series of photographs of the remaining shelterbelts as they are today, some still serving their purpose.