The hop industry in Taranaki has two dedicated growers, Wayward Hops and Quarter Acre Hops, who have received support through the Branching Out project. Both growers are preparing for another year of growth and refinement of their operations.  

Wayward Hops: A Focus on expansion and efficiency 

Tim Verry, the owner of Wayward Hops, has set a deliberate strategy for the coming year. “For the upcoming year, we will maintain our current planting area as advised, focusing on optimizing our existing crop by increasing the frequency of spraying and applying larger amounts of fertilizer through to harvest,” says Verry. 

Looking ahead to spring, Wayward Hops plans to double its crop, ordering new plants in October with the goal of increasing from 1,500 to 3,000 plants. 

On the harvest side, Wayward Hops is investing in additional conveyor belts to complement their existing hop picker and fan setup, ensuring a streamlined harvest process. They are also considering constructing a small hop kiln for drying their hops; if that proves impractical, the local sawmill’s kiln offers a reliable alternative. 

While there are still plans to sell fresh hops to local brewers like Three Sisters Brewery and Shining Peak Brewery in New Plymouth, their intention is to dry and pelletize the remaining hops for sale to breweries across New Zealand. 

While the global hop market is currently saturated according to some local growers, a trend that may continue for the next two to three years, Verry sees this as an opportunity to focus on building relationships and knowledge.  

“Our strategy is to focus on expanding our hop garden and building our knowledge over the next two years while marketing our product directly to craft beer breweries throughout the North Island. Thereafter, we will be well-positioned to expand further and explore export opportunities” 

Quarter Acre Hops: Expanding footprint and infrastructure 

Helen Wills, owner of Quarter Acre Hops, is equally enthusiastic about the year ahead, with plans to double their planted area from 0.5 hectares to 1 hectare in the 2024/2025 season. “This includes putting in place all the supporting structures and ensuring water is available during the summer months through storage and irrigation,” Wills notes.  

Expansion plans for Quarter Acre Hops also involve scaling up infrastructure to support efficient operations. Leveraging research from Australian hop growers, Quarter Acre Hops recently acquired a hop harvester, which, according to Wills, is the only one of its kind in Australasia.  

In addition to existing local customers, Wills has been actively engaging with new brewing partners interested in their hops. The farm has also become a point of interest for local brewers and aspiring hop growers, attracting 30 to 50 visitors over the past year. With a purpose-built kiln imported from Australia, Quarter Acre Hops is well-positioned to handle larger harvests.  

“We are looking forward to making more use of its capacity in 2025,” Wills adds. The growing demand and operations have led the farm to hire a seasonal worker, who will return in spring to support the busy growing season. 

Building the region’s hop ecosystem 

Wayward Hops and Quarter Acre Hops are setting a solid foundation for the hop industry in Taranaki, focusing on strategic expansion and close ties with local brewers. While international markets may face saturation, both growers are prioritizing quality, local partnerships, and operational efficiency to ensure they’re prepared for long-term success. These efforts position Taranaki as an emerging region for hops and high-quality ingredients in New Zealand’s vibrant craft beer industry. 

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