Our History
Luv’ya is a name synonymous with flavoursome apples. The expertise to grow apples that taste so great, time after time, has been generations in the making. Since the early 1900’s families of apple growers have made the most of the region’s unique climate conditions and soil, to produce more and more of the best apples you’ll find anywhere in the world today. And those families that started over 100 years ago are still here, making beautiful Luv’ya apples for you today.
1910’s
1910 The first Easton Orchard is established by Grandfather William (Bill) Easton in Mariri.
1915 Walter Hoddy recuperates in Samoa, staying at the Vailima homestead made famous by Robert Louis Stevenson.
1916 Walter Hoddy, newly home from the war buys land in Moutere Hills and establishes Vailima Orchard.
1950/60’s
1945 A new generation takes over from Walter Hoddy running the orchard.
1965 Peter Hoddy shifts the orchard to easy-to-irrigate plains, from it’s original coastal block in Moutere.
1970’s
1970 A collective of growers establish the Waimea Growers Packhouse to pack more and more fruit for export.
1970 A young Richard Hoddy begins work on orchard.
1980’s
1982 David Easton takes over orchard in Mariri.
1987 Easton Orchard continues to expand across the Waimea Plains.
1990s
1991 Vailima Orchard starts expanding alongside Nelson’s burgeoning wine industry.
1992 The very first Mariri Red apple tree is planted that will eventually produce the famous eve® brand of apples - a milestone in the companies history.
1993 More collaboration as the Group 8 Horticulture collective is established to manage fruit distribution.
1995/96 The Compass shared packhouse is established to ensure packing standards.
1997 The famous eve® apple is trademarked.
2000s
2000 Vailima Orchard continues to expand as demand grows.
2001 The apple industry in New Zealand is deregulated.
2002 The Luv’ya brand is created.
2003 eve® become a Luv’ya branded apple.
2007 Further expansion across the plains.
2010s
2015 A new generation of Hoddy’s take on management roles at Vailima.
2019 Super Fund takes ownership of Easton Orchards, builds on the amazing work of the Easton family to and continues to grow the New Zealand horticulture sector.
2019 First MIA1 trees are planted for production for the new variety Evercrisp™ .
2020s
2020 Vailima Orchard family become sole shareholder of Heartland Group – allowing business to be solely grower owned.
2021 Ambrosia becomes the largest volume variety sold by Luvya.
2021 Luvya brand is refreshed to reflect the current market.
2023 First Evercrisp branded apples are sold by Luvya.