We at Delta have continued to introduce new varieties.
Most of us are very familiar with the long-time favourite Red Kumara but the Red is no longer the only variety. Now you can get Orange, Gold and Purple varieties. For “Foodies” and us this extends the opportunities for the ways that you use kumara.
It’s a Matter of Taste
The Red Kumara has a creamy-coloured flesh, a mellow flavour and a firm texture. Leave the skin on and retain a lovely red that will enhance your plate presentation.
The Gold Kumara is both sweeter to the taste and softer in texture than the Red. Its flesh and skin are gold — so peeled or unpeeled it will add colour to whatever dish you are serving. If you want a vegetable that will offer both softness and sweetness to the palate, then the Gold Kumara makes an excellent choice.
The Orange Kumara is an exciting variety with both orange skin and orange flesh. Firm like the Red, it is the sweetest of all the varieties and its texture, when cooked, softens beautifully. Often used in sweet dishes like muffins and desserts, it also works wonderfully in soups, mashed, chipped or baked in the skin.
The Purple Kumara has deep purple skin and striking purple flesh. It holds its colour when cooked, making it visually spectacular in any dish. Versatile and nourishing, it works beautifully mashed, as chips, or in soups and dips. ← NEW: add this paragraph
Efficient, High-Capacity Processing
Delta operates 49 weeks of the year, providing consistent, reliable Kumara washing and grading services for growers and shareholders. Our facility is designed for high throughput, with the ability to process 140 field bins — approximately 70 tonnes — in a standard eight-hour day.
Our Washing Process
We use a carefully controlled, multi-stage system to ensure every Kumara is cleaned thoroughly while maintaining product quality. Kumara are first placed into a water bath to remove soil. They then pass over a series of rotating brushes with a continuous water spray for a gentle, effective clean. After washing, all product moves across a pre-inspection table where our team removes any obvious defects.
Sustainable Water Management
At the end of each day, all wash water is recycled, treated and prepared for reuse the following morning. This reduces environmental impact and supports sustainable operation without compromising hygiene or product quality.
Advanced Grading Technology
Once inspected, Kumara enter our grading line. A mechanical sizer separates product by initial size. A photo grader then sorts Kumara into seven distinct grades based on size, shape and surface defects. This combination of mechanical and optical grading ensures accuracy, consistency and minimal handling. Delta is the only Kumara packhouse in New Zealand using this camera-based grading technology.
Quality Control at Every Step
Technology helps us grade efficiently, but our people remain essential to quality. Our team completes final visual checks before Kumara enters the bag or crate, and we carry out QA checks before product is dispatched from the packhouse.
Packaging
80% of our product is sold loose and 20% is packaged into convenient-sized bags. We run three prepack machines. All finished product is palletised for efficient storage and transport.
Reliable Daily Movement of Fresh Kumara
Delta manages transport with the same precision and care we apply to our washing and grading operations. We receive Kumara in field bins directly from growers on the day of packing. Product may arrive straight from the farm or from our coolstore, depending on harvest timing and storage requirements.
Once packed, we dispatch six days a week, ensuring a steady, dependable supply to markets across New Zealand. Most days, two truck and trailer units depart from Dargaville, carrying freshly packed Kumara to major distribution centres:
Auckland — Same day delivery
Wellington — Delivered overnight under normal conditions
Christchurch — Approximately 27 hours transit time
From these main hubs, Kumara is distributed to retail stores throughout the country, ensuring customers receive fresh, high-quality product with minimal delay.
