Welcome to New Zealand
Fruit Tree Company.

Sourcing, introducing, developing and commercialising new fruit varieties for Kiwi growers.

NZFTC and its shareholder-partners bring New Zealand growers unique plant varieties with superior qualities, creating strong business opportunities.

Are you a New Zealand fruit grower or international plant breeder wanting to find out more?

What we do

At NZFTC, we specialise in sourcing, introducing, and commercialising innovative fruit varieties that meet the evolving needs of New Zealand’s growers.

Our team evaluates and assesses new varieties for their characteristics and performance, working closely with both local and international breeding programmes to ensure excellence in quality and adaptability. We manage the programmes, providing technical expertise and guidance along the way.

NZFTC collaborates closely with leading  breeding programmes and experts to bring a diverse and unique selection of fruit varieties to New Zealand growers.

As a member of the Associated International Group of Nurseries (AIGN®) — the only organisation of its kind in the nursery industry — we gain exclusive access to a continuous pipeline of innovative and exciting varieties from around the world.

“Our success speaks
for itself, with over 55
varieties commercialised
since 1996”
“Our success speaks for itself, with over 55 varieties commercialised since 1996”

Varieties - NZFTC specialise in helping a large number of varieties reach their market potential, including (but not limited to):

Apples
Apricots
Nectarines
Peaches
Cherries
Plums
Citrus
Root Stock

People

As one of New Zealand’s oldest fruit tree IP management companies, NZFTC brings extensive experience and industry knowledge to the table. Our mission is to uncover the best business opportunities for each unique variety we represent.

Under the leadership of John Morton, NZFTC has been instrumental in shaping New Zealand’s fruit sector. Through dedicated research, development, and strategic procurement, we’ve introduced a broad range of new varieties to New Zealand growers, contributing significantly to the growth and success of orchards across the country.

The key role of the team is to search the world for the best varieties to support New Zealand’s small but highly efficient horticulture industry.

Management

John Morton

General Manager NZFTC
John Morton serves as the General Manager of New Zealand Fruit Tree Company (NZFTC), bringing extensive expertise in sourcing, developing, and commercialising new fruit varieties.
With a sharp focus on assessing the characteristics and performance of
each variety, John oversees local and international breeding programs, ensuring their success in meeting market demands.

John’s experience spans roles as in orchard management, through to technical advisory. His comprehensive background and industry knowledge make him an invaluable asset to NZFTC’s mission of advancing New Zealand’s fruit industry.

Julie Greene

IP Manager NZFTC
Julie Greene brings broad experience in horticultural management from marketing, sales, logistics, contracting and IP commercialization. Julie coordinates grower/nursery and marketer liaison for contract execution, data base management and the collection and payment of royalties.

Board

Mike Breitmeyer

Shareholder representative | Board Chair
Market Gardeners Limited (MG Group) representative.

Paul Paynter

Shareholder representative | Board Chair
The Yummy Fruit Company representative

Leandra Fitzgibbon

Shareholder representative | Board member GPE Nurseries Limited Partnership
Lawyer, Tavendale and Partners

Board

Mike Breitmeyer

Shareholder representative | Board Chair
Market Gardeners Limited (MG Group) representative.

Paul Paynter

Shareholder representative | Board Chair
The Yummy Fruit Company representative

Paul Paynter

Shareholder representative | Board member GPE Nurseries Limited Partnership
Lawyer, Tavendale and Partners

Ownership

NZFTC is owned by three shareholders – grower-owned co-operative, Market Gardeners Limited (trading as the MG Group); the Yummy Fruit Company (part of the Johnny Appleseed Group); and GPE Nurseries Limited Partnership, a special purpose investment equity with investments in NZ’s horticulture sector.

These shareholders bring a deep understanding of the New Zealand fruit industry with investment in nursery, growing and marketing capability.

Contact

New Zealand fruit growers interested in our varieties, as well as international plant breeders and licence holders wanting to learn more about NZFTC, are encouraged to get in touch using the online form.
PO Box 446
Hastings
New Zealand

NZFTC is a member of AIGN

NZFTC is a member of AIGN
PO Box 446
Hastings
New Zealand
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