For author Chris Smellie, this has been a passion project for many years. Chris says, “It began as a record of the fruit growing district of Huapai, which remains still central to the book, but as I wrote and researched I was drawn ever further into many aspects of fruit (and food) production in New Zealand. I reached back to the beginning of the Fruitgrowers Federation and further back again and again until I found the wonderful painting by Hawaiian Herbert Kawainui Kane of an ocean-going waka, Kupe Discovers New Zealand, reproduced early in the text.”

The exhibition at Kumeū Arts will include a display of fascinating historical advertising, paintings, and photographs featured in the book. A selection of limited edition prints will be available to purchase through the gallery, as well as signed copies of Where Have All the Apples Gone?.

Guy Wishart, who has supported the book and exhibition, says that because of “the huge amount of research and data collection he (Chris) needed, it seemed like a forever project, and it did take many years. Now complete, Chris and the small team of editors and artists have produced something quite special.”

Don’t miss this opportunity to come along, explore this significant collection, learn about many aspects of our region, the people that shaped and worked the land, and to purchase your copy of this important record."