A New Zealand Food Story w Ben Bayly

We’re proud to share that Forest Lodge Orchard was recently featured on A New Zealand Food Story, the popular TVNZ series hosted by acclaimed chef Ben Bayly. The episode, which aired on 12 July, showcased our 100% electric cherry orchard here in Central Otago—and gave us the chance to tell our story to a national audience.

For those who haven’t seen the show before, A New Zealand Food Story is all about uncovering the people and places behind the food we grow and eat. Ben travels the country visiting producers and learning what makes their ingredients—and their stories—so unique, before turning them into incredible dishes at his Auckland restaurant, Ahi. Being part of this season was a real honour. Not just because we admire Ben’s approach to food and storytelling, but because it gave us a rare chance to explain what makes our orchard different. At Forest Lodge, we grow export-quality Central Otago cherries, using solar power, batteries, and fully electric machinery. There’s no diesel, no petrol—just renewable energy and smart tech helping us grow some of the best fruit in the world.

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This kind of feature matters. It helps more New Zealanders understand where their food comes from, what it takes to grow it sustainably, and why regions like Central Otago are so important to the future of food in Aotearoa. It also shows that innovation doesn’t mean sacrificing quality—in fact, we believe going electric has made our operation stronger, more resilient, and better for the long haul.

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👉 Watch on TVNZ+ – Season 4, Episode 6

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Read the full article at TVNZ →