After pursuing a career in fashion, and dabbling as a yoga and snowboarding instructor, Laura Schultz found the place she was meant to be was actually where she'd been running from.
It's been a big year for Laura Schultz.
She tends to spread herself across all sectors of avocado growing just as smoothly as the fruit glides across toast.
She bought her first home, won Young Grower of the Year for Bay of Plenty, works as a growing liaison officer for Trevelyan's, and spends weekends on the orchard she manages and leases off her dad.
"I'm constantly chasing my tail."
Red leaves on the avocado tree are flush to protect the fruit beneath from the sun. Photo: RNZ/Leah Tebbutt
There is not much room for Laura time, I protest when she tells me about all that keeps her busy.
"No, not a lot. But I do love it out here...so." she says with a smile.
Standing in an orchard with Country Life on a drizzly Saturday morning was almost the last place Schultz thought she would be, had you asked a couple of years ago.
Having grown up just around the corner from where she now spends her weekends, Schultz wanted nothing more than to head to the city once she had finished school.
"I never thought it would happen, I was like, 'I'm getting out of here'.
"I grew up out here and I did enjoy it, but I was always wishing I lived in town. Like Tauranga or Auckland where there were all sorts of things happening."
Green spindles of the avocado tree are soon to be hanging with fruit. Photo: RNZ/Leah Tebbutt
So, off she went, first studying for a Bachelor of Commerce before landing a fashion degree.
She eventually realised that wasn't the industry for her and after the Covid pandemic interrupted travel plans, she found herself helping out on the orchard again.
"I did love living there [the city], but I missed the outdoors.
"I feel relaxed and at home, it's peaceful here."
Schultz jumps at the opportunity to prune her trees, something she did not see herself doing when she started.
"At the start, I was like, 'there is no way I am using a chainsaw, they're dangerous'.
"And then they bought this electric one for me and I got my safety gear and it was actually alright - now it's my favourite tool."
Schultz has no one else but her to rely on in the orchard. There are hopes one day she may be able to hire someone if the prices for fruit rise.
But for now, it's her and her 2-year-old collie, Ojas.
"It is crazy how my confidence has grown out here, and I think it just shows I am in the right place.
"I am not forcing anything, I want to learn about it. I'm very lucky."
Laura Schultz has found herself managing an avocado orchard Photo: RNZ/Leah Tebbutt
