Craig and Lani Julian have berries in their blood and guided by the founders of Whakatāne’s berry empire – Craig’s parents – have passed that passion on to their children.

In the early days, a flood struck David and Joan Julian’s Shaw Road orchard, and it was the boysenberries that proved to be the hardiest and survived.

The decision that followed was simple: “Oh well, that’s our future.”

Craig and Lani first met on the Whakatāne wharf, where Lani was working on the White Island boats and Craig was the skipper of a fishing vessel. They travelled together, saved their money, and planned to return home to start a tourism business.

Lani grew up on a vineyard and Craig on a berry farm, yet neither envisioned a career in horticulture.

In hindsight, it proved to be the best decision they ever made, and one they have never looked back on.

“We were living in a shed in Poroporo and, alongside the berries, we planted some kiwifruit,” Craig said.

“Kiwifruit is still important to us because it employs good staff who can shift between kiwifruit and berries as needed. It also provides a more diverse income stream when either crop has a tough season.”

When David and Joan moved their strawberries and blueberries to the state highway block now known as Julians Berry Farm & Café in conjunction with their other son, Paul and his wife, Monica, Craig and Lani planted more boysenberries.

Today, the farm produces around 200 tonnes a season, most of which are processed by Watties.

Although the season peaks within a month, around 80 percent of harvesting is done in two weeks, requiring between 100 and 200 staff on site during that time.

“The plants are quite hardy, but the fruit is extremely fragile and takes great care and attention to ensure a good crop,” Craig said.

“It’s one of the most stressful crops to grow, second only to cherries. Harvest time is tough and challenging. I’ve been doing this for 30 years and we still face new challenges on a regular basis.”

The next generation is now stepping into leadership, with the Julians’ daughter, Ella, managing the Shaw Road orchard.

She and partner Campbell Grey have recently purchased 25 hectares in Awakeri, planting 6ha in boysenberries, with plans to expand to nine.

Once fully established, the new block is expected to rival the Shaw Road orchard’s annual output of 200 tonnes.

Much like Craig, Campbell had no intention of growing berries, instead focusing on a career in dairy farming, while Ella concentrated on horticulture.

Within a short time, the dairy dream was set aside, and he is now helping to develop the Awakeri block.

Ella admits the pace of change has been a shock.

“This being Campbell’s first season with the family, he’s really been thrown in the deep end,” she said.

“We moved in together partway through 2025, purchased land for boysenberries, which he’s now developing, and he’s had to put his dairy aspirations on hold. Everything has happened so quickly.”

Last winter saw further expansion at the Shaw Road orchard, with another 2ha of berries planted as the Julians continue to explore ways to grow the business.

While the domestic market remains their primary focus, Craig sees strong potential in the health and lifestyle sector through value-added products, such as berry powders.

“There are so many possibilities for product development,” he said. “David and Joan always told Lani and me to develop an added-value product, rather than just grow berries.

“We’re happy with where we are, but we see that as a possibility for the next generation. Right now, that would take a huge amount of energy and drive.

“We’re growers – that’s what we’re good at – and it gives us a good lifestyle.”

He laughs as he reflects on earlier years.

“I used to work my butt off here on my own and dreamed of a meteor hitting the berry farm, so I wouldn’t have to do it anymore. Then I could start a business showing tourists around the hole in golf carts.

“When that never happened, I decided to just focus on the berries.”

Craig and Lani’s son Jai is studying design at Canterbury University and his skills, combined with a potential future on the orchard, could open new development and marketing opportunities for the family business.

“We have two farms that could soon produce 400 tonnes of berries,” Craig said.

“Jai could certainly add to that in so many ways.

“Wattie’s makes around $20 million from canning, and that company is owned offshore.

“Developing a cannery here would make sense, so that money could stay in Whakatāne and New Zealand.”

David and Joan still work on the orchard every day and enjoy supporting their granddaughter as the next generation steps up.

With Craig and Lani now empty nesters and keen to enjoy more of

life, the future of the Julian berry empire appears to be in very good hands.