12 Mar 2009

Plant gift turns into business

10:55 am on 12 March 2009

The gift of a bromeliad many years ago has turned into a successful business for Poppy Fuller from Ngati Kahungunu, Tuhoe, and Tuwharetoa.

After years of selling excess plants from her home in Kerikeri, Ms Fuller launched Fullbert Bromeliads a year ago with help from Te Puni Kokiri.

She and husband Allan now employ two staff, built two large shade houses and have more than 30,000 bromeliads in stock.

She got her first plant 25 years ago from her best friend Diane and told Waatea News that she was not keen on the species then.