Our Story

 

🟩 ABOUT US — HARVESTWEAR

Built for Seasons, Not Just One Harvest
NZ-Made Orchard Equipment Trusted Since 1985

Harvestwear began in 1985 in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, when the Smith family designed a better, safer picking bucket for their vineyard and kiwifruit block. What started as a single aluminium bucket quickly spread across local orchards — growers immediately recognised the comfort, practicality, and fruit protection of a design that was ahead of its time.

As demand grew, aluminium gave way to a stronger, fruit-friendly hard plastic shell, forming the foundation for the long-lasting picking buckets Harvestwear is known for today.

Even when the business later operated from Invercargill — the southernmost city in New Zealand — Harvestwear earned a reputation for durability, comfort and low-bruising performance, trusted by growers picking in demanding conditions season after season.

🟩 A NEW CHAPTER BACK HOME

When Craig Kelly first encountered Harvestwear, he saw a business with incredible history and decades of loyal growers behind it — but one ready for its next chapter.

He brought Harvestwear back to Hawke’s Bay, returning the company to its horticultural roots and rebuilding the range around the same principles that shaped the very first bucket:

Make it better.
Make it stronger.
Make it last.

🟩 WHAT WE STAND FOR

✔ Long-Lasting Design

Harvestwear picking bags and buckets commonly last 5–10 +seasons, far longer than standard orchard bags.

✔ Replaceable Parts

Liners, straps, harnesses and hardware can all be replaced — reducing cost and waste while extending product life.

✔ Fruit Protection

Smooth foam-lined shells, quality fabrics and smart design help reduce bruising, protecting high-value fruit.

✔ Ergonomic Comfort

Our Support+ Harness spreads weight across the maximum shoulder area, reducing strain on pickers and improving productivity.

✔ Orchard-Tested

Every design is refined using feedback from commercial apple, kiwifruit, citrus and stonefruit growers.

✔ NZ-Made Quality

All Harvestwear products are designed and manufactured in Hastings, New Zealand, using heavy-duty materials that stand up to the realities of real orchard work.

🟩 USED BY GROWERS AROUND THE WORLD

Harvestwear equipment is trusted by growers in:
New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada, UK, Italy, Spain, Greece, Chile, South Africa and more.

From small family blocks to large-scale commercial orchards, growers choose Harvestwear because:

  • our gear lasts

  • the parts are replaceable

  • the harnesses are comfortable

  • the designs reduce bruising

  • and the ROI is clear year after year

🟩 OUR JOURNEY

1985 – First aluminium bucket designed in Hawke’s Bay
1990s – Hard-shell plastic bucket developed
2000s – Product range expands across multiple crops
2023 – New ownership; Harvestwear returns to Hawke’s Bay
2024–2025 – Launch of YieldLux and Support+ ergonomic innovations

🟩 40 YEARS OF INNOVATION — STILL BUILDING BETTER

What began as a small workshop solution has become a trusted global brand — but our mission has never changed:

Build orchard gear that lasts.
Protect fruit quality.
Support the people who pick it.

Harvestwear is proud to support growers season after season, year after year.