The Limery: Squeezing out a game changer for Wairoa youth

Dianne Downey and Paul Hyslop, owners of The Limery in Wairoa, will benefit from a further $200,000 government funding to support their youth training programme. Photo / File

Dianne Downey and Paul Hyslop, owners of The Limery in Wairoa, are starting to show what can be squeezed out of a big idea in a small town.

Earlier this week the business was granted $200,000 from the Government's He Poutama Rangatahi fund to further develop its citrus production training programme Te Rau Haumako.

It comes on top of a $355,000 investment by the Government's Provincial Growth Fund in 2019, to help the expansion of their acclaimed citrus company on Kopu Rd.

It allowed them to purchase equipment which has allowed them to go from processing 3000 pieces of fruit in an hour to 15,000.

Downey said they had always wanted to develop something where they were in control of the whole process, establishing The Limery in 2009.

Having seen how well citrus grew in Wairoa, they decided to target limes as they were "a little bit more niche".

They grow four varieties of lime for wholesale, with lower grade limes processed and turned into juices on site.

"All our waste that comes from the juicing goes to stock food," Downey said.

"That's one of the advantages of being in an agricultural area."

The value added production process has also allowed them to bring new employment opportunities to the district, now with a staff of eight people.

She said it was about creating an industry and giving opportunities to Wairoa.

"It's not that we want to be the biggest or the flashest, but we want to give employment opportunities and stop the importation of raw ingredients.

"You can't come to a community like Wairoa and develop something without giving back."

Wairoa mayor Craig Little said support from the Government was a "real testament" to their efforts.

"When they first came to Wairoa they really struggled to get up and going.

"[But they have done] what a lot of people didn't realise could be done in Wairoa."

Little said the business had also "added another string to their bow" for 13 locals who supplied additional produce to The Limery from underutilised land.

Downey said students were amazed about the opportunities in the industry, which include not only growing the fruit but also packing, processing, as well as sales and marketing.

"For a lot of the young people here, the only options they have got are Affco and forestry."

Their Te Rau Haumako programme includes three months of on-the-job training in topics such as chemicals, fertiliser and tree management.

Twenty youth will also receive help with budgeting, developing their CVs and interview techniques, followed by 12 months of pastoral support and career guidance.

Students lined up for the first intake in January, Downey said.

Wairoa mayor Craig Little said The Limery had shown what could be achieved in Wairoa. Photo / File

Downey said there was "no secret" to The Limery's success, other than believing in the project.

She said they were very grateful for support from both local and central government.