Juno Olives

We are Karen and Ian Juno. Our journey began in 1998 when we started looking at ideas to keep ourselves active in our retirement. We both came from farming backgrounds. Ian's family still farm near Waitomo glow worm caves and Karen's family who immigrated from Ireland and Lebanon settled in the Wairarapa.

We found our land on a freezing cold, wet winter day in June 2001. It was situated on the Tauherenikau straights 3km south of Greytown. We spent two hours walking around the property, which Karen knew well. She recalls the Tauherenikau as being suitable for grazing and haymaking. Then we noticed a neighbour had planted 2500 young olive trees. Childhood memories came flooding back to Karen of family Christmases enjoyed picnicking under the olive trees at her Lebanese grandparent's home. Our journey was about to begin.