Lasting love blooms at flower farm

• Published date: 18 April 2024
• Publication title: Guardian, The

Working in a small team and surrounded by flowers all day, with row upon row of iridescent blossoms and enchanting aromas wafting through the air, Wilfora is the perfect setting for a love story

And for Wilson, it was.

“I actually met the love of my life, Jennifer, right here on the farm,” he said.

“She started working here when she finished her studies in 2003.

“Surrounded by flowers, working side-by-side all day long, one thing led to another.”

Wilson said the couple now run the business together.

“I couldn’t do it without her.”

Wilson is a specialist freesia and mixed cut-flower farmer in the Manawatū-Whanganui region.

The farm was initially purchased by his parents and he said he was proud to continue the family legacy.

“When my father first purchased this block of land in 1973, it was completely bare. He started the farm as a grow-your-own veggies garden until the flower crops were established.”

For Wilson, blossoms are in the blood. His mother was a florist and he spent his childhood days lending a hand on the farm.

“Back then, the farm operation was very small, we only had two or three staff working on the farm so I always helped after school,” he said.

“It has always been a part of who I am. We live and breathe the flower industry.”

The farm has expanded rapidly over the years and what began as 4500sq m of greenhouses has now more than doubled.

Wilson said he wouldn’t want it any other way.

“I love working in the greenhouse.

“It can be a miserable day outside but as soon as you step inside, it’s warm and you get an overwhelming scent of flowers.”

Wilson said the greenhouses operated at an optimal temperature, so were warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Even more greenhouses are on the cards, as he hopes to expand the business into his very own flower empire.

“We are in full expansion mode, we have a team of eight staff members to help with our operations.”

New Zealand’s wholesale flower industry that Wilflora supplies to utilises the Dutch auction system, which is used to sell flowers across the country.

The Dutch auction starts with a high asking price and...