We never set out to grow Christmas trees. Christchurch Christmas Trees actually began as Tothill’s Mazes. When we purchased 10.8 hectares of land in 2009, we ran the maze joyously for several years. But only two weeks after buying the property, we were notified by NZTA that our land had been earmarked for the new Southern Motorway development. It was devastating news. While the maze continued to thrive for several seasons, the looming compulsory purchase was always in the background.

After a long and drawn-out negotiation process, we eventually had to close. Many years later, we accepted several replacement parcels of land—narrow strips that ran alongside the highway corridor. One of these was a small, odd-shaped triangle. Too narrow for a maze and too awkward for buildings, it was easy to overlook.

But we noticed its sunny aspect, its access to water, and the road running right beside it. A crop might work, we thought, but we weren’t sure. It had to be hardy, low-input, and suited to the site. Ben suggested Christmas trees.

We planted a few trial rows of Christmas pines to test the idea, and within the first year they thrived. Those early rows turned possibility into promise, and Christchurch Christmas Trees began in earnest.

Today, that once-awkward triangle of land holds thousands of flourishing Christmas pines. Every December, the gates swing open and Canterbury families wander the rows, enjoying the simple joy of choosing their tree as part of their Christmas tradition.