Our place

A stone’s throw from Greytown, you’ll find Greytown Orchards. This picturesque site on Reading Street was originally a market garden before evolving into a berry farm and, later, a thriving stone fruit orchard. For decades, it was known as Murphy’s Orchard – a name synonymous with quality fruit and deep community ties. The Murphy family took stewardship of the land in 1979, with Andrew Murphy leading the charge to transition the site into a commercial orchard, continuing a family legacy rooted in Greytown’s agricultural past.

Throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Murphy’s Orchard became one of the last fully operational orchards within the township. Its rows of fruit trees, supported by a century-old pine windbreak, were a familiar and beloved part of the local landscape. The orchard not only produced fruit but also cultivated a sense of place for Greytown residents. Sadly, storm damage in 2011 led to the removal of the towering pine trees, a poignant marker of changing times.

In 2018, after nearly four decades of family ownership, the orchard was sold by the Murphy family to local developer Craig Percy and his partners, Tumu. The sale marked the beginning of a thoughtful transformation of the site. A vision was formed to create a retirement village that honoured the orchard’s heritage while providing modern, high-quality homes and care for older New Zealanders.

By late 2019, resource consent was secured for a comprehensive development spanning more than 13 hectares. The plan included independent villas, a care facility, communal amenities like a gym, pool and café, and beautifully landscaped grounds. 

Construction began in 2020, starting with blessing ceremonies and groundwork. The first villas were completed by late 2021, and the village welcomed its first residents soon after. By early 2025, 71 completed villas were occupied. The first villas of stage 2A have been release for reservation, and with The Lodge communal building now underway, the community continues to grow.

In 2024, Tumu became the sole owners of Greytown Orchards, reinforcing their long-term commitment to the village’s completion and maintenance. Their stewardship ensures the vision of a peaceful, orchard-style community continues to thrive, rooted in the past, and flourishing into the future.

Content and imagery sourced from Wairarapa Times Age, Greytown Orchards and Tumu.