1980

Andy McGrath’s passion for plants combined with the need for high quality fruit trees and variety improvement in New Zealand led to the creation of his first nursery on 1 ha of leased ground in the Waikato District.

After obtaining a science degree from Massey University, Andy worked at DSIR and then as a horticultural consultant. His work as a consultant gave him experience in large scale development and highlighted the need for high quality trees and variety improvement.

1980 

Andy McGrath’s passion for plants combined with the need for high quality fruit trees and variety improvement in New Zealand led to the creation of his first nursery on 1 ha of leased ground in the Waikato District.

After obtaining a science degree from Massey University, Andy worked at DSIR and then as a horticultural consultant. His work as a consultant gave him experience in large scale development and highlighted the need for high quality trees and variety improvement.

1981

McGrath Nurseries was established at Karapiro, near the Waikato River, on a 27 hectare block which was purchased for its soil quality and special microclimate. The first apple stool beds were planted at this site.

McGrath Nurseries Ltd has expanded throughout the years to a current 160 ha as the nursery production has increased and to ensure the production of the highest quality trees from virgin soil.

1987

A further 23 ha was purchased to expand the nursery and ensure the production of the highest quality trees from virgin soil.

1991 

McGrath Nurseries introduced the Sunrise apple for the domestic market, the first non apple and pear board controlled apple imported and developed in New Zealand since the establishment of PVR, and very innovative for this time.

Prior to this, both the domestic and export apple markets were regulated by a single desk. Sunrise was tested with a group of growers and developed with controlled volume. Over twenty years after its release, this apple still creates very high returns for growers.

1991

McGrath Nurseries began to import improved cherry varieties into New Zealand, becoming the dominant cherry nursery in New Zealand. The passion for innovation and improvement continues as new varieties are imported and evaluated.

Varieties such as Sweetheart®, Staccato®, Regina®, Kordia®, Earlise®, Bigalise®, Santina® and Romance® now form the backbone of the modern cherry industry in New Zealand.

1991

A number of new M9 clones were imported for testing.  Two have been commercialized.

1993

McGrath Nurseries Ltd commercialized the Gilmac apple as a controlled variety, a leading concept in the 1990’s, and New Zealand’s first production based royalty apple.  This apple still obtains a 25% premium making growers solid returns.

1994

McGrath Nurseries is granted the co-licensee for CG rootstock in New Zealand as the search for new dwarfing, high yield efficiency, and resistant apple rootstocks began in earnest.

1995

A further 20 Ha were purchased in the Karapiro as nursery operations continued to expand.

1996

Another key license is signed as McGrath Nurseries Ltd are appointed as exclusive licensee for Cornell stone fruit in New Zealand.

Photo:  Bob Andersen, Stone fruit breeder at Cornell University.

1999

McGrath Nurseries were appointed the exclusive licensee for the PICO/PARC cherry breeding program, cementing their position as the leading cherry tree nursery in New Zealand.

2002

McGrath Nurseries Ltd started the introduction and development of the KIKU® brand apple in New Zealand.

This project included variety importation, all contracts and commercial systems and the establishment of the exporter network and KIKU® New Zealand Ltd.

2003

McGrath Nurseries Ltd began the evaluation of Honeycrisp apple with a view to it becoming a controlled variety in New Zealand.

This evaluation included several trips to the US for evaluation, a testing phase in New Zealand, technical evaluation, identification of key factors in production, fruit assessment and problem solving.

Photo:  David Bedford, apple breeder for University of Minnesota in New Zealand honeycrisp orchard.

2006

Geneva® 202 rootstock is released in New Zealand. McGrath Nurseries are the prime mover in the release of G® 202 after 16 years of collaborative research and funding. This was a breakthrough for NZ growers

Giving them a rootstock that is highly efficient and resistant to WAA, Phytophora, fireblight.. This rootstock is environmentally desirable, reducing chemical applications and decreases grower costs.
G202 was the first Geneva® release. The commercial license is shared with Waimea Nurseries.

2007

McGrath Nurseries purchased 60 hectares North of Cambridge expanding the nursery to a total area of 129 hectares and relocating the office to this site.

2007 

Honeycrisp New Zealand Limited team was formed, a new concept for exportation of apples from New Zealand.

The Honeycrisp concept is focused on super high quality controlled production, direct market linkages, and an innovative new model for exporting to give high grower return and providing a return to all stakeholders in the variety.

2007

McGrath Nurseries Ltd were chosen by ENZA to be the lead propagators for their new apple Envy™.

This involved the re-evaluation of technical aspects of the plant material, bulk up of the variety and coordination and commercial release of the trees via McGrath Nurseries and others.

2008

McGrath Nurseries Ltd were chosen as the variety developers and project leaders for Plumac c.v. apple and the developers for KORU® as a worldwide brand.

This New Zealand chance seedling was discovered by Geoff Plunkett in Motueka. The project has involved the coordination of field testing, scientific evaluation, trial production, market testing and development of commercial networks, trade marking and protection of this variety worldwide. Plumac c.v. KORU® apples are destined to become a significant world variety.

2013

KORU® plumac c.v. is well on the way to becoming a significant world apple as it receives consumer acceptance throughout the world and returning premium prices to the grower.  The trademark is registered in over 25 countries, the US plant patent is granted and UPOV protection continues.

2013 

KORU® plumac c.v. is well on the way to becoming a significant world apple as it receives consumer acceptance throughout the world and returning premium prices to the grower.  The trademark is registered in over 25 countries, the US plant patent is granted and UPOV protection continues.