A distinctly local flavour is set to hit screens next week as Hyundai Country Calendar turns its lens on the Tasman district’s Conning family and their food market and horticulture operation.
The episode, airing Sunday, 19 April, follows the three Conning brothers who have returned to Nelson to drive the next chapter of their family’s horticulture business. Over the last 10 years they have turbo-charged the operation started by their parents, Robbie and Cheryl, opening two popular stores and expanding the already busy market garden.
But it’s not just the story in front of the camera that is local.
Behind the scenes, the episode is a homegrown effort, directed by Riwaka-based director Robyn Janes and shot by cameraman Mike Potton, who is Nelson born and bred.
“There’s something special about telling stories in your own backyard,” Robyn says. “I already knew a bit about the business as someone who has popped into the store over the years. Getting behind the scenes to see the scale of the operation, and meet such a fantastic family, was a real privilege.”
Mike grew up surrounded by the region’s market gardens and landscapes, and relished the opportunity to showcase the area.
“The family were so great to film with. They were very accommodating, giving us free rein to film anywhere on the farm,” he says. “It was a great story to tell, full of colour and character.”
The episode highlights the Connings’ business growth from a small operation over four hectares in the 1980s, to employing about 165 people over their 170-hectare market garden and two market stores in Richmond and Nelson. Each brother plays a role in the business, from hands on growing and harvesting, to managing distribution and the food markets.
The Conning family episode airs on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+ on Sunday, 19 April at 7pm. This year marks 60 years of Country Calendar.
