TGFC Producer Spotlight

Meet Cameron from Avohaven

Avohaven has only been around for a few years, but this very moving story of how their orchards got started will leave an impact on you. Here Cameron fills us in on the background of Avohaven, the passion and dedication that went into making their first product and how their products make a great addition to your pantry year round. 

TGFC/ How did you get started?
Cameron/ It all started with an avocado orchard. In 2015, Mum and Dad were feeling that they had had enough of Auckland. Mum had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and they decided to retire, sell up and move to the winterless north.

As Dad had owned a number of businesses in the past and because he didn't want to sit still in retirement, they purchased a run-down avocado orchard in picturesque Maungatapere, not far from Whangarei. Unfortunately, mum passed away a few months after taking over the orchard, so this retirement project quickly became dad's latest business venture. 

The orchard quickly expanded and when the neighbouring property came onto the market, we quickly purchased it. To help out, my sister Fiona along with her family moved onto the orchard to help out. My brother Brian followed suit and joined the family business. I was the only sibling based in Auckland which probably wasn't a bad thing as I am the least trusted person when it comes to operating machinery orchard, so I decided to learn what I could about crafting an avocado oil.

At the time, avocado oil was only just starting to grow in popularity, and it was almost impossible to find information on how to produce it. I ended up borrowing a neighbour’s olive press and made a huge mess trying to create oil with no success. Finally, after months of trial an error I partnered with one of New Zealand's leading avocado processing facilities and finally got to a point where I could be proud of the product we were producing. Avohaven foods finally had it's first product! We launched in March 2020, the week before New Zealand went into lockdown.

TGFC/ We're sorry to hear about the passing of your mum. Given all of the family involved, do you each have defined roles?
Cameron/ I like to think of myself as the brains behind the operation and Fiona the social guru! She loves getting out and talking to people at the markets and expos we do around the country. You will find me in the background making up the tasting samples.

TGFC/ What makes Avohaven special?

Cameron/ One of my pet peeves is that number of imported products you will find in the supermarket. New Zealand has an amazing primary producing section yet it's often hard to find.

Avocado oil is one of the healthiest oils available and to be able to produce it from fruit that we grow and nurture in our orchards right here in New Zealand is pretty special. We’ve taken our signature product and expanded it into a range of tasty avocado oil-based vinaigrettes which are great as marinades and salad dressings.

Having an almost endless supply of avocados to go on my daily toast, I set about creating a range of smoked salts and our very own created bagel styled seasoning to enhance avocado on toast.

To be able to share what we do with others is a great feeling.

TGFC/ Do you have a favourite product?

Cameron/ You can't go past our Everything Avocado (bagel styled) seasoning. I add it all sorts of things. Eggs, avocado, steak, pretty much anything that I want to add a savoury salty flavour to. 

My other favourite at this time of the year is our Oregano & Garlic vinaigrette. I use it as a salad dressing during summer, but at this time of year it's my go to when I create my signature chicken noodle soup.

TGFC/ What’s your most popular product?
Cameron/ It surprises me, but our Everything Avocado (bagel styled) Spicy seasoning is probably our most popular product. It's based on the very popular Everything Bagel Seasoning but with a spicy kiwi twist. It's a savory blend of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, NZ sea salt, onion flakes and garlic flakes as well as capsicum flake (not chilli) which adds a boost of flavour.

TGFC/ Is there anything else you want to share?
Cameron/ Our products are generally perceived as a summer as most people prefer to use avocado oil as part of a salad dressing as opposed to cooking with it, but it's a great product to cook it.

The vinaigrettes make a great marinade during the colder months. I often use them in slow cooker meals and I use the Everything Avocado (bagel style) seasoning all year round.

Good news for our members

TGFC Good Reward members will automatically earn double points when they purchase any Avohaven product in June. As a TGFC Good Rewards member, you earn points every time you shop. When you reach 100 points, you get a $15 TGFC Good Rewards e-voucher that you can redeem at anytime – and you earn 75 points just by referring a friend. If you’re not a member, find out how to join now!