Siema Organics is a family-run subtropical orchard situated on Tikapa Moana (Firth of Thames). We are an organic permaculture orchard and work with the unique microclimate that whakatiwai has to offer.
Siema Organics is a 3 acre block. We have around 300 fruit trees, over 300 native trees, a thriving vegetable garden, beehives, chickens and ducks. The main dwelling is north facing and is built of rammed earth and timber, we generate our own power through solar panels which also charge our electric car.
We are establishing a food forest, expanding the banana grove and exploring some unusual subtropical fruit trees. We have a love of preserving and fermenting and we are always exploring new recipes with our home grown produce.
We make use of the resources on the orchard and the surrounding area. You will often see us collecting seaweed from the beach or in the local horse and cow paddocks collecting their poop. We always have a compost heap going and liquid fertilisers brewing.
We continue to learn and evolve as we move through the seasons and climate diversity. We have a wonderful orchard hand and regularly host wwoofers.
Sione and Gemma took over the kaitiaki of the whenua in 2017 from Bill Brownell and Marilyn Anderson after an extensive handover period of mentorship and friendship. From here Sione and Gemma continued on the mahi whilst also adding their own touch, as their family continued to grow.
They now live on the land with two children, an energetic dog, a loving cat, many chickens, a flock of ever growing welsh harlequin ducks and honey bees.
Our Family
Gemma
Gemma is a parent, yoga teacher, grower and food lover. Gemma started her career as a mental health nurse with an interest in how diet and lifestyle impacts on individual mental health. After feeling restricted by the medical model, Gemma trained as a yoga therapist through Wellpark college in Auckland and began teaching yoga in mental health.
Through the love of sustainability, health and nature Gemma found permaculture and went on to complete a permaculture design certificate in 2017 with APW. Gemma enjoys spending time observing her surroundings, making small and slow solutions to move towards a resilient and sustainable lifestyle. She has a passion for growing food, gentle parenting, cooking, compassionate communication and yoga.
Sione
Sione is an electrical engineer and owns a successful electrical company in Auckland. The sound of chicks chirping and ducks quacking have become the comforting background noise on those days when Sione works from his home office.
Sione brings life and laughter to the orchard and is always the one driving the bigger orchard projects. He has a love of chainsaws and is a natural at the art of pruning fruit trees.
Katene & Kōwhai
Our eldest is an artist, chef and animal lover. She is always out there helping to herd the chicks and ducklings into their rodent proof night enclosures. She can be seen climbing fruit trees to pick the best peaches, running around with her dog and selling flowers and fruit at the roadside.
Our youngest child is the climber and explorer. She loves eating fruit any time of the day and is most happiest when out exploring the orchard. She loves giving cuddles to the chickens and ducklings sharing with them her caring and loving nature.