Our Story
For more than 30 years, our family has been growing beautiful, delicious berries and sharing them directly with our customers. At Piopio Berry Orchard, we believe that great produce starts with care - for the land, for the fruit, and for the people who enjoy it. Freshness, flavour, and family have always been at the heart of what we do.
Our journey began in Hamilton, where we grew strawberries, apples, and stone fruit for export, local markets, and our little roadside shop. But we dreamed of focusing on berry production and creating a business that would grow alongside our family.
In 1993, we moved to Piopio with our three young children and named our new venture Piopio Berry Orchard - a way to celebrate our new community and build a family business rooted in the region. Those early years were full of hard work and happy chaos: the children made forts from banana boxes, rollerbladed up and down the concrete, and tended to their pet lambs while we worked in the fields. As they grew older, they became part of the orchard’s daily life - carrying boxes to customers’ cars, restocking shelves, and helping wherever they could.
By 2004, after purchasing more land, we were finally able to expand our shop and focus more on the retail side of our business. A place where locals and travellers could stop in for the freshest berries, real fruit ice cream, and a friendly chat.
Now, more than thirty years later, our family has grown to include four children, five grandchildren, and a thriving orchard that produces 100 tonnes of berry fruit each year. What makes us most proud is seeing the next generation continue the tradition - our older grandchildren now lend a hand in the orchard, helping serve customers, pack fruit, and learn the same values of hard work and care that have always guided us.
We still take pride in growing the tastiest berries possible and in welcoming our community - old friends and new faces alike - to enjoy the fruits of our family’s labour.
Once you’ve tasted our berries, we’re sure you’ll be hooked too. We look forward to seeing you soon at Piopio Berry Orchard.
Our Family
Angela and Mike Roy are the heart behind Piopio Berry Orchard. Since moving to Piopio in 1993 with their young family, they’ve poured their energy and love into growing the orchard from a small blueberry block into the bustling 13 hectare berry farm it is today. Their passion for good food, hard work, and community has shaped every part of the orchard.
These days, their oldest daughter, Jessie, brings her warmth, energy, and enthusiasm to the family business. She runs the shop and manages the wonderful team of shop staff who keep things running smoothly during the busy season. From greeting customers with a smile to keeping the ice cream counter humming, Jessie carries on the family’s tradition of friendly service and genuine country hospitality. She and her husband, Hamish, live locally, where he manages a nearby dairy farm, and together they’re raising their four young boys - the next generation growing up surrounded by berries, fresh air, and the same values she was raised with.
Their youngest daughter, Maggie, may be based in London, but she’s still an important part of the family business - managing the administration and behind-the-scenes work from afar, while raising a young family of her own. She proves that family teamwork can stretch a very long way!
Their two sons have followed their own exciting paths - Jack is based in New York, and Thomas proudly serves in the New Zealand Army - but both remain closely connected to the orchard and the family roots that started it all.
Together, the Roy family are proud to welcome visitors from near and far to enjoy their berries, ice creams, and a taste of life on the orchard.
Visiting us
We would love to see you at the Orchard.
We are open daily 9.00am to 6.00pm from Labour Weekend, until April.
Not only is our store packed full of delicious berries, we also sell berry ice creams, coffee, berry smoothies, jam and homemade berry muffins.
With berry ice cream for the kids, coffee for the grown-ups, plenty of parking and grass for the dogs – Piopio Berry Orchard is the perfect place for a pit stop.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Opening Hours
From late October to late April
Every day from 9.00am to 6.00pm
Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday
Berry Availability
WEATHER DEPENDANT
Strawberries: October to April
Blueberries: December to April
Raspberries: December to April
Blackberries: December to April
Frozen berries are available all year round. Click here or call 07 877 8490 to organise a pick up for your berry fix during the winter.
Orders
After berries for a special occasion or Christmas Day?
Call or email us to place an order
07 877 8490 or shop@piopioberries.co.nz
Please note, delivery is not available, all orders must be picked up from the orchard.