Historical Outline of Riverview Growers

The business began in 1955 part-time while the previous General Manager was an employee at Kakanui Vineries which included all the area that is now Riverview Growers and Kakanui Vineries on our western side. From the beginning and for 19 years rose bushes were grown, at times on a separate site.

The business was named in 1960. It also included a tomato house and mushrooms in Kakanui South, but shortly after, glasshouses and land were leased from Kakanui Vineries for 3 years until 1963 when the site of Riverview Growers as it is now, was purchased. From 1960 the business included Grape and Tomato crops, sweet corn and Swedes. Many other crops were experimented with.

After developing grafted tomato plants for commercial crops for about 5 years Riverview Growers launched them to the retail garden center industry in 1965, trade marking the plants SUPERTOM in NZ and later in Australia. Gradually there was neither time nor space to grow anything else in Spring but tomato plants, so that the Management withdrew from Rose Growing in 1974 and Grape & Tomato growing about 1980. However it was realized that the business would in time need some diversification and it was decided to opt for the Nursery Industry entirely from 1980.

Having a liking for Flowering Houseplants and realizing our assets were well-suited to adaptation to this work, together with grafted tomato and grafted cucumber plants, we have since then made these our main business. Advantages and disadvantages for our type of business are fairly balanced in Kakanui for South Island trading.

We have together succeeded in serving our wholesale customers throughout New Zealand and making a contribution in the community.

Brian and Margaret Buschl took over the business in 1996.