NZ Food Story: Our TVNZ Feature

When we first set out to electrify our cherry orchard, we never imagined it would lead to a dessert in one of Auckland’s top restaurants—let alone a feature on national TV. But here we are, and we couldn’t be more excited to share that Forest Lodge Orchard has been featured on A New Zealand Food Story with Ben Bayly.

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The episode, which aired on TVNZ 1 on July 12, follows chef Ben Bayly as he visits local producers around the country, learning about the people, places, and stories behind our food. In our case, that meant a trip to Central Otago to see what goes into growing our 100% electric cherries—and why we believe renewable energy is as much a part of the recipe as the fruit itself. Ben spent time with us on the orchard, learning how we grow, harvest, and pack our cherries using electric tools, tractors, forklifts, and even an electric Hilux. With solar panels powering the entire operation and batteries storing the extra energy, our goal is simple: grow premium cherries for Kiwi families without burning a single drop of diesel.

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But the highlight for us? Seeing our cherries transformed into something truly special. Ben created a brand-new dessert for his restaurant Ahi called “The Electric Cherry”—a dish inspired by our approach to sustainable farming and the unique flavour of Central Otago cherries. It was on the menu over summer  at Ahi in downtown Auckland, and it’s an absolute honour to be featured not just in the episode, but in one of the country’s most celebrated kitchens. This isn’t just about a single orchard, or even a single dish. It’s about showing what’s possible when food producers take a different path. We are actively proving that sustainability, innovation, and great flavour can go hand in hand.

A massive thanks to Ben Bayly, TVNZ, and the whole A New Zealand Food Story crew for sharing our journey.

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Watch the full episode here: 👉 Watch Season 4, Episode 6 on TVNZ+

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Learn More: nzfoodstory.com
Ahi Restauarant: ahirestaurant.co.nz

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We’re proud to be part of the future of New Zealand food. But we're even prouder to represent Central Otago and that electric farming can taste as good as it feels!!

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