Roberts Family Fruit has changed hands after more than 40 years, with Harry and Joan’s son Harry Jnr and wife Tasha now running the orchard.

The 50ha working orchard in Earnscleugh grows stone and pipfruit and once exported most of its fruit, but nowadays its just cherries and occasionally apricots.

At least 25 varieties of cherries were grown on the orchard, and labour came from RSE workers, backpackers and many locals - it seems everyone knows someone who has worked for Harry Roberts.

The young couple was excited about the next generation of fruit growers coming through, allowing them to connect with other young business owners in the district.

“We’ll probably think a lot differently too,” Harry Jnr said.

Part of their succession has involved changing the original Rob’s Rural Market into the Roberts Family Fruit Country Store, which opens to the public this Saturday.

“We’re working directly with other family growers from all over New Zealand,” Tasha said, selling a range of fruit and vegetables, condiments, and gifts - as well as fresh coffee and real fruit ice creams.

Harry Jnr, wife Tash and their four children will carry on the family business. PHOTO: Supplied

Renowned for having one of the coldest blocks in Earnscleugh, there have been weather events on the Roberts orchard that have made national news, and perhaps that’s how Harry Snr was recognised for his talent in the media - starring in the Mainland spreadable butter advert on television.

Joan remembered one year in the 1990s the entire orchard got hailed out and they lost every last piece of fruit. 

“It was devastating.  We tried to salvage everything but it wasn’t worth it.”

September 18, 1971 was another date the Roberts family will never forget. The biggest storm in the history of the orchard. Nine days straight of frost fighting and three days without sleep.

The family orchard was originally bought by Harry’s father Heck and mother Nancy after moving from Dunedin, followed by brothers Heck and Dave, and then Bill in 1971.

Joan and Harry took over the family orchard in 1978 and it eventually grew from the original 12ha ‘Home Block’ to four more (50+ha). 

They also have two other children - Vicky (who still works on the orchard) and Maryann.

Joan can remember when cherries were flown straight out of Alexandra airport in the large Bristol Freighter aircraft for Blenheim, where they were packed and sent off to Japan. 

They used to export into Europe as well, but like other orchardists, were now competing with Chile and Australia.

Harry (75) says fruitgrowing was a lifetime commitment, and it was lovely to see the next generation of his family coming through to take over the Earnscleugh orchard.

They’ll both find their favourite jobs to keep them going. Neither one is ready to retire just yet.