Bert's Berry Farm

03/06/2026

We were SO incredibly touched by the Hawkstone Farmers Choir for winning Britain’s Got Talent 2026! 🏆🌾

These amazing farmers didn’t just get up on that stage to sing, they stood up for every farmer around the world who is quietly struggling. They used their platform to shine a light on the farming community and something that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough: the mental health crisis and heartbreaking su***de rates within our farming communities.

And you know what? It shouldn’t take a TV show to start this conversation. We should be talking about this every single day.

Farming isn’t just a job, for most, it’s a legacy. It’s been passed down through generations, from great-grandparents to grandparents to parents, and it runs deep in their DNA. It’s not something they chose lightly; it’s who they are. It’s a passion, a calling, a way of life that is woven into their very identity.

Farmers feed the world. They get up before dawn, they work through storms, droughts, and heartbreak, they battle impossible regulations, rising costs, and endless pressure, and they do it because they love the land and they love feeding people. But behind the hard work and muddy boots, many are silently struggling.

To every farmer out there — here in New Zealand, in Britain, and across the world — please know: you are not alone. You are the backbone of society. 💚

You don’t have to carry this by yourself. Reach out. Talk to someone. Talk to us. Your life matters more than any harvest, any debt, any regulation.

Thank you, Hawkstone Farmers Choir, for being a voice for all of us. This win, this beautiful song is for every farmer who needed to hear it. 🌸

27/05/2026

Meet Bert. The man behind Bert’s Berry Farm 🍓

Today we caught Bert in his office.

Office views? ✅
Standing desk? Nah.
Morning commute? Zero km.
Conference call in progress? Absolutely. 📞

Who needs a corner office when you’ve got pallets, fresh air, and the Waikato sky? 😄

Thank you Lalai for the great pic 🥰

14/05/2026

25 years ago, Bert by arrived in New Zealand.

A new country, a different culture, and no real idea of what life would eventually become.

What followed were years of hard work, building, learning, and figuring it out along the way, in 2008, Brigitte arrived too.

Over the years life took us across the world — New Zealand, Denmark, Holland, Canada — before we found ourselves back in New Zealand again.

Together we built a life, a family, and four years ago, Bert’s Berry Farm.

It started as an idea. It has grown into something we are really proud of.

There were plenty of unknowns along the way. Risks, sacrifices, long days, and lessons. But also so much growth, incredible people, and amazing moments we wouldn’t trade for anything.

Sometimes it’s hard to believe how far we’ve come. 25 years later, the journey is still unfolding.



Brigitte Van Zaal

13/04/2026

Today we celebrated Sri Lankan New Year at the farm, and it was something special.

It has been a while since we last shared an update. We have been busy behind the scenes, fully focused on the season. We hope to have a bit more space now to keep you updated more often.

After 🌀 cyclone Vaianu passed by, this felt like a moment we all needed. A moment to pause. To gather. To celebrate.

Our amazing Sri Lankan ladies prepared a beautiful morning tea for the whole team. Full of flavour, colour, and care. You could feel what this day means. Tradition. Family. New beginnings. ✨

Moments like this remind us what matters. People. Culture. Connection. 🫶

We are grateful to have such incredible women as part of our team. They don’t only bring their skills, they bring their heart, their traditions, and their spirit. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Happy New Year to you and your families.

24/12/2025

Wishing you a Merry Christmas 🎄.
 
Today is our last working day before the holidays. We are taking a short break and will be back in full swing on Monday the 5th of January 2026.
 
We wish you a relaxed Merry Christmas, and a strong, healthy, and fresh start to 2026.
 
If something urgent comes up, you can still reach us by phone or email. Send us a message and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
 
Warm Wishes, Bert & Brigitte
Bert’s Berry Farm

23/12/2025

Hello hard working New Zealand strawberry growers, we would love to stay connected.

At Bert’s Berry Farm, we spend our days with the plants, noticing the small things that often matter later in the season. Instead of keeping those observations to ourselves, we love sharing them in our newsletter The Plant Whisperer.

You receive practical growing notes, seasonal reminders, and plant health insights based on what we see every day in our propagation paddocks and through conversations with growers across New Zealand. Bert’s worldwide knowledge that speaks volumes.

You are not on your own. It is written grower to grower, clear, grounded, and with passion, our own experiences.

If you would like to join our newsletter too, like many others, you can follow the link in our bio.

22/12/2025

Thought I caught Bert sleeping?

Turns out he was making snow slash sun angels.

Farm life stays busy.
Even at ground level.

We are still flat out here.
New systems.
New ways of working.
A flexi tank in place.
More changes rolling through.

Same care.
Same plants.
Same standards.

Back up we go again.

10/12/2025

Another hot day at the farm. ☀️

Thank you to our staff and contractors working through the heat. 🥵

Your focus and effort keep everything moving. 🌱

Let’s keep ourselves and the plants hydrated. 💦

We appreciate you. 👏🏼

30/11/2025

💚🍓🫶

Saturday, when Bert was out on the farm and looking after our strawberry plants, I was making some jam. In the meantime I was also thinking about our newsletter, which I wanted to finish after this. As the strawberries simmered on the stove, I thought about how fast we have grown as Bert’s Berry Farm and how grateful we feel. The amount of work that goes into this place is huge. Bert carries a lot of it with steady hands, strong focus, and determination. He has his heart in the right place. He always wants to help people. His passion for growing has never faded.

I am proud of him. When you reach a more mature age and you still hold a dream and a clear vision, you show commitment. Most people at that stage start thinking about doing less, letting go, but you choose to build something real. You stay with the hard days. You stay with the long days. You stay with your purpose.

That is what I see in him every day.

And I feel grateful for where we are heading next and grateful to see your big heart. Today we have been together for 19 years and married for 7 years on the same day. I would not have wanted to share this journey, the different countries and experiences with anyone else.

Happy anniversary 💚

27/11/2025

Wishing our American friends a happy Thanksgiving.

The turkeys asked for a feature spot, so here they are. Enjoy your day.

We are grateful for you! 🤎