One of the main problems we face orcharding in the Whangarei district is the encroachment of lifestyle residential properties and people buying orchards as lifestyle (residential) blocks. Traditional spraying of organophosphates and other toxic chemicals is at best tolerated and in some cases an unacceptable risk. Spraying oils may be part of the solution to this problem as they have been in use for 100s of years as matricides, fungicides, and insecticides and are non toxic to mammals. In recent times new chemistry has overtaken them to the point where I believe they are an under utilised resource in New Zealand with significant I.P.M advantages being non-fatal to beneficial insects giving low cost pest and disease control.

The New Zealand Kellogg Rural Leaders Programme develops emerging agribusiness leaders to help shape the future of New Zealand agribusiness and rural affairs. Lincoln University has been involved with this leaders programme since 1979 when it was launched with a grant from the Kellogg Foundation, USA.