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Leanne Matsinger checks out the strawberry harvest at the family farm in North Otago. Image; Johanna Matsinger
Hard work bears good fruit for family-run berry farm As the strawberry season ramps up, it’s all go at Matsinger’s Berry Farm in the small town of Papakaio. HELENA O’NEILL speaks to Leanne Matsinger about the popular North Otago farm.
Leanne runs the strawberry and raspberry farm about 20km northwest of Oamaru. The longstanding berry growing operation is a favourite amongst locals. The strawberry season runs from November to May, while the raspberry season began three days before Christmas this year, finishing three weeks later. A good balance of sunshine and rain has led to “big, beautiful fruit” this season, with keen customers lining up at the farm shop for strawberries and raspberries as well
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as the new attraction – real fruit ice cream. Matsinger’s Berry Farm was established in 1955 by Leanne’s father-in-law John and his brother Len, who both emigrated from the Netherlands. John’s son, Simon, returned to the family’s farm when he was 24, to work alongside his parents. “It was Simon and his parents’ dream,” Leanne says. “They started the strawberry business and it wasn’t my cup of tea. I’d love to go back to my old job at the fashion shop,” she laughs.
