When Kala Singh arrived in the Bay of Plenty from Punjab in 2003 with less than $500 in his pocket, he was determined to use experience gained on his family’s farm to make his way.
Growing sugar cane, rice and maize, his father Kewal Singh’s property sustained the entire family, including Kala and his three sisters. Knowing he needed to put his head down and put the work ethic instilled by his father to good use, Kala set forth for the opportunities in New Zealand primary production.
“Although New Zealand is very different, the basics of horticulture are not. When I arrived here, I easily found employment and it wasn’t long before that work ethic provided me with real opportunities,” says Kala.
Initially he was pruning kiwifruit around Te Puke. Then he became a contractor in his own right, growing his team, and taking a greater management role in the orchards he worked on. In 2014 he took his first step onto the property ladder, buying a house, then two years later, in 2016, along with a business partner he bought his first kiwifruit orchard.
“That was an important step, though by then I was ready: I was chomping at the bit,” he says.
Keeping the momentum going, in 2014, seeing labour shortages in the horticulture sector he established a labour supply business, contracting to several other local Bay of Plenty orchards.
“I could see there was a need. I was able to use my connections and knowledge of the local kiwifruit sector to provide other growers with the support they were looking for. I made sure to hire hard working people I knew I could trust.”
Prominent kiwifruit grower and industry leader Alastair Sutherland served as a mentor for Kala.
“I’ve been fortunate that some excellent people in horticulture helped me develop and refine my skills growing kiwifruit. They have been generous with their time and knowledge,” he says.Further orchard purchases followed in 2018, 2022 and 2023.
A drive to do the best for his extended family motivates Kala. Kewal, along with Kala’s mother Bhajan Kaur, followed him to New Zealand in 2003. Kala’s three sisters, and respective families, also now call themselves Kiwis.
In 2006 Kala married. He and wife Rajwinder now have their own family: 15-year-old son Mankirat and 10-year-old daughter Japnoor.
“Ours is a family business. The children are the future,” he says.
Although horticulture is Kala’s main focus, other family members are less fond of life in the orchard or packing shed. To keep them happy and productive Kala has taken on several hospitality businesses in various North Island cities, including Pizza Hut franchises, sports bars and an English style pub.
With three orchards already in his name, last year Kala used his connections with Tim Gallagher of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Te Puke, to add to his portfolio. After other agencies were unable to sell it, Tim listed a 3.19 canopy hectare low altitude Gold orchard on No 4 Road, Te Puke.
“With a house plus AirBnB unit onsite, this is a desirable property that fits well with Kala’s other investments. The infrastructure is well set up and with Kala already running his own blocks nearby, and others over the fence, it made sense for him to buy it,” Tim says.
In the end, Kala thought so too. His purchase takes the family’s orchard holdings above 15 canopy hectares.
“Tim’s guidance through the transaction was excellent. He knows the area, is well connected, and understands horticulture. His property advice and professional support is sound and much appreciated. Without Tim’s guidance and perseverance through the process we wouldn’t be standing here today. Maybe that’s why Tim won his big award as Number One rural salesperson across New Zealand!” says Kala.
Tim says kiwifruit property continues to be highly sought after.
“After a soft couple of years where values fell away to a baseline of around $1.4 million per canopy hectare, the market is bouncing back. This season has already seen sales over $1.65 million, plus a couple in the pipeline at over $1.7,” he says.
Tim even reckons offers over $1.8 million per canopy hectare might eventuate for another premium Paengaroa listing he is bringing to the market shortly.
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