ABOUT US & OUR STORY

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Moutohora Estate is a multi award winning olive grove situated in the sand dunes of Thornton, 15km west of Whakatane and 75km East of Tauranga . Established between the Rangitaiki and Tawarewa rivers. Moutohora is the maori name for Whale island, the Kaitiaki (guardian) of our property as the olive grove sits in its shadow.

The property was purchased in 1997 as a vineyard lifestyle block. Even though we produced wine for a couple of years it was not sustainable.

When living in Europe we travelled to Greece several times and fell in love with the olive and fig trees. We noticed that some olive tress in the shelter belt were producing an abundance of olives. The decision was made to replace the vines gradually with olives which started in 2001 and since then it has become a multi award winning grove.

Our first entry in 2009 saw us come away with two gold medals.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Our philosophy is to produce healthy unadulterated local natural products that are affordable in our own community. We believe that locally grown products are much more compatible and healthy for the body and mind.

OUR COMMUNITY

Our community involvement range from donations to our local charities for their fundraising activities and events. We believe in keeping our prices affordable for the local community (lower socio economic areas) and help supply food for Christmas day functions for the deprived.

AWARDS

Moutohora had a proud history of winning awards since their first entry in 2009. Our recent entries in the New Zealand Extra Olive Oil Awards 2021 had secured Moutohora extra Virgin olive oil one gold and one silver.