Bob Teal’s commercial growing journey began in 1980, after 19 years as a dairy farmer. He jokes that the decision was driven by no longer wanting to milk cows on wet ground.

The change in direction wasn’t as complicated as you’d think as he’s always had a passion for growing, with his keen interest sparked by his parents who were avid gardeners.

“My mother and father were not horticulture professionals but loved growing and were self-taught,” says Bob. “They had an amazing garden, so good it once won the Auckland garden competition.”

Bob initially grew asparagus and blueberries when he started Bruntwood Gardens. He also dabbled with sunflowers and maise in the early days, before adding raspberries, blackberries and boysenberries in 1982. Remarkably, some blackberry canes remain from that original planting nearly four decades ago and fruit was picked off them again this season.

Fast forward 40 years and Bob’s started to take his foot off the pedal. He has sold 40 acres of land and is transitioning to a less hectic pace of life.

“When I downsized, I was able to create two large lifestyle blocks,” says Bob.

While he will continue to grow raspberries, blackberries and Ranui berries (a Auroraberry and Marionberry hybrid), the second block is now home to a separate business called Cambridge Berries, run by his daughter-in-law Kaira and son Leighton.

“This is now our third season running Cambridge Berries,” says Kaira. “We primarily focus on blackberries, with around 15 staff working from October to January to help grow and pack.”

“Bob’s talked for a while about slowing down but now we’re running four acres separately, he’s really re-energised.”

“Up until now we’ve shared packhouse facilities and worked together to sell our berries through MG Marketing to the domestic market.”

“We love having Bob supporting us as he has so much knowledge and experience – we are forever picking his brains.”

“He’s got so much patience and willing to teach anyone who is willing to learn.”

“In the early days Bob was overseas when I was still learning how to hang vines so he jumped on FaceTime and coached me through it.”

Kaira also acknowledged the guidance from the MG Marketing Procurement team while they were building their new business, beyond the normal support with marketing their berries.

“The MG team have been brilliant at sharing information about the market, packaging, the supply chain and supporting our small operation,” says Kaira.

While Bob claims to have entered semiretirement by only working a few months a year, the reality is he’s still passionate about continuing to evolve his business.

“I did have beautiful Luisa plums that I’d grow for the local market but our labour is finished when we need to harvest so I have replaced them with a blackberry called Taranaki,” says Bob. “I’m the only one growing them commercially.”

“This year I’ll put them under cover and have another two tunnels to build for some Ranui’s but I can’t do that until the canes are up on the wire.”

“That only gives me around a month or so in winter. Mind you, in the past I’ve managed to construct nine in one year.”

Kaira is already thinking further ahead, with two of their adult children currently working in the business.

“We’ve got a couple of young boys coming through who have worked with Bob for many years and shown a real passion for growing,” says Kaira. “It’s difficult for young people these days to buy property so we’d love to have them take on this business at some stage and continue Bob’s legacy.”

As for Bob, he likes the idea of more balance in his life, including the opportunity to spend more time on the golf course and a little less on the property.

“Business is good, it keeps me busy and I still enjoy it,” adds Bob. “My golf handicap is all I have to worry about now.”

Photo: Bob, Kaira and Leighton Teal, along with MG Representative Scott Mason