Guide to Eating Seasonally in New Zealand

Eating seasonally means fruit and vegetables are cheaper and you are supporting the body’s nutritional requirements for each of the seasons elemental climates. Seasonal fruit and vegetables taste better due to being naturally ripened, (on the plant is always best,) they are fresher and have a higher nutritional value due to shorter time from garden to table. Knowing what is actually ‘in season’ is difficult given importing abilities meaning some items with shorter seasons are now available all year round. New Zealand has a temperate climate (in most parts,) so there is often a long cross over with seasons, also many fruits and vegetables are stored long term here in NZ. You will see parsnips available in summer, apples in winter-(even into the following Spring and Summer,) pumpkins in summer – all out of season making it very confusing. The best way to eat seasonally is to buy at your local farmers/growers market or of course grow what you can yourself, which is always so satisfying and great for kids to be involved.

Check out our Seasonal Availability Calendar below..

Summer Veg
Artichoke, Asparagus, Eggplant, Beans, Beetroot, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Courgette, Choko, Cucumber, Lettuce, Marrow, New potatoes, Radish, Snow Pea, Parsnip, Sprouted beans and seeds, Spring Onion, Summer Squash, Sweet Corn, Swede, Tomato, Watercress, Most fresh herbs

Summer Fruit
Apricot, Avocado, Blueberry, Blackberry, Cherry, Grape, Melon, Nectarine, Peach, Plum, Passionfruit, Raspberry, Rhubarb, Strawberry, Home grown bananas

Autumn Veg
Eggplant, Beans, Beetroot, Broccoli, Cabbage, Red cabbage, Capsicum, Carrot, Cauliflower, Choko, Courgette, Cucumber, Kumara, Leeks, Lettuce, Marrow, Parsnip, Pumpkin, Radish, Snow pea, Spring onion, Sprouts, Squash, Swede, Tomato, Turnip, Watercress, Yam

Autumn Fruit
Apple, Avocado, Grape, Melon, Nectarine, Passionfruit, Peach, Pear, Pepino, Plum, Raspberry, Feijoa, Nashi Pear, Pear, Kiwifruit, Mandarin, Persimmon, Tamarillo, Home grown bananas

Winter Veg
Artichoke, Asian Greens-like bok choi, pak, choi, Broccoli, Brussels Sprout, Cabbage red, Carrot, Cauliflower, Choko, Corriander, Cucumber, Kumara, Leek, Lettuce, Parsnip, Pumpkin, Radish, Snow Pea, Sprout, Squash, Swede, Tomato, Turnip, Watercress, Yam

Winter Fruit
Kiwifruit, Lemon, Mandarin, Pear, Persimmon, Tamarillo, Orange

Spring Veg
Artichoke, Asparagus, Beetroot, Broccoli, Brussels Sprout, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Kumara, Leek, Lettuce, Parsnip, Radish, Sprouts, Squash, Swede, Tomato, Watercress, Yam, Most fresh herbs

Spring Fruit
Kiwifruit, Melon, Orange, Tangelo