2 Feb 2024

Kotare Subtropicals on a mission to reduce banana imports

From Country Life, 7:17 pm on 2 February 2024

Geoff Mansell is growing bananas and many other subtropical fruits to supply to local supermarkets and he hopes others will do the same. 

Geoff Mansell (left) with partner Craig in their subtropical greenhouse

Geoff Mansell (left) with partner Craig in their subtropical greenhouse Photo: RNZ/Leah Tebbutt

Rows of bananas line the paddock, some sporting the banana bunch covers.

Rows of bananas line the paddock, some sporting the banana bunch covers. Photo: RNZ/Leah Tebbutt

Kotare Subtropicals greenhouse.

Kotare Subtropicals greenhouse. Photo: RNZ/Leah Tebbutt

A pineapple growing in the Kotare subtropical greenhouse

A pineapple growing in the Kotare subtropical greenhouse Photo: RNZ/Leah Tebbutt

Inside the greenhouse of Kotare Subtropicals

Inside the greenhouse of Kotare Subtropicals Photo: RNZ/Leah Tebbutt

Banana bunch ripening

Banana bunch ripening Photo: RNZ/Leah Tebbutt