Te Puke details

Transportation
Railway
Opened in 1928, the railway main line passes through Te Puke.  Passengers from 1928 to 1959 were transported by the Taneatua Express, between Auckland and Taneatua. In February 1959 the steam train was replaced.  The railcar market has been maintained in 1959 and 1967 after it was abandoned due to mechanical problems with the train as well as due to low passenger numbers. The latter resulted from the then very cumbersome time-line between Auckland and the Bay of Plenty.

Road
The State Highway 2 passes through Te Puke. There are plans for a new bypass road through Te Puke, which will help reduce congestion on the main street of the city.
Horticultural
Due to the combination of favorable climate and fertile soil in Te Puke, horticulture was significant at all times. Since the 1880s, tobacco was grown commercially, but it began to decline slowly in the late 1930s.  Experimental plantings of hops, and later rice, were also created.  Wine was successful, but could not establish itself here for various reasons. The settlers put built their own orchards, when funding allowed.

The first commercial orchard in Te Puke was in 1915.  They grew apples, pears, lemons and grapefruit. After the Second World War, the Rehabilitation Department of returning soldiers moved along the road No 3 as fruit growers.  The area around the road No. 3 in 1960 largely consisted of fruit orchards.  In 1966 80 owners had about 1,500 acres (6 km²) of land of which 3.6km² were with citrus fruit, the rest with other subtropical fruits Tamarillos and feijoas.

In 1934 Jim MacLoughlin bought a 28,000 square-foot piece of land on National Route No. 3, where he grew lemons and passion fruits.  His neighbor Vic Bayliss had two plants of a plant called “Chinese Gooseberry” (Actinidia deliciosa) and sold the fruit for £5.  This prompted Jim in 1937 to plant a half-acre (about 2,000 sq ft) with this fruit.  In 1952 the first exports were made.

In 1959 the name “Kiwifruit” was introduced.  Since then, numerous other plantations were created with the green Hayward variety being the most popular. 1998 the yellow “Zespri Gold” was introduced onto the market and new varieties, including peel-able and smaller berry varieties were introduced. Many residents of Te Puke, as well as commuters from the surrounding areas are employed in April and May, to harvest and pack kiwifruit.
Attractions
The kiwi fruit is marketed under the label “Kiwi 360” for tourists. These include a huge replica of a sliced kiwi fruit, a cafe and a shop. They offer tours of the kiwi plantations with the so-called KiwiKart, where you can learn something about the cultivation and export of kiwifruit.

The Te Puke Vintage Auto Barn next to Kiwi 360 exhibited many classic cars, but has been closed since November 2006, since the owner retired and has been unable to sell. Here is accommodation for backpackers