Several years ago, Derek and I planted a small olive grove in the Wairarapa Valley north of Wellington.The Wairarapa, with its warm summers and cold winters provides ideal growing conditions for our 250 trees.

We both love olives and planted mainly pickling varieties, in the hope of having a constant supply of our own. We grow along organic lines, without pesticides, fungicides or artificial fertilizers.

While our grove was maturing, I decided I would love to see the olive in its traditional surroundings. I have visited groves in France, Spain, Italy, Morocco, Greece, China and Syria, talked to their growers, tasted countless olives and oils, was given family recipes and lots of wonderful advice. Heaven for an olive lover.