Hail Netting Suppliers in New Zealand: A Buyer’s Guide

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I have been supplying hail netting to orchardists in Hawke’s Bay, Nelson, and Marlborough since 2008. In that time, two catastrophic events permanently changed how New Zealand growers think about hail protection: the 2019 Hawke’s Bay storm that destroyed over 150 hectares of apple crops, and the Boxing Day 2020 storm that devastated Nelson and Tasman orchards — hops, grapes, kiwifruit, apples and pears all hit simultaneously.

This guide documents the main hail netting suppliers active in New Zealand, with honest notes on what each does well and where they fall short.

Why New Zealand Orchards Demand More from Hail Netting

New Zealand’s UV radiation is approximately 40% higher than at comparable latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere — a consequence of ozone thinning, lower atmospheric pollution, and Southern Hemisphere sun-Earth proximity. NIWA data shows Auckland receives 137 days per year with peak UV index above 8 (very high to extreme); Canterbury still logs 94 such days. For hail netting exposed year-round on open orchard canopies, this UV load is the primary driver of premature degradation — not hailstorms themselves.

After both the 2019 Hawke’s Bay and 2020 Nelson events, the pattern of netting failure was consistent: nets specified without adequate UV stabiliser loading had become brittle within 3–4 years, far short of the 8–10 year lifespan promised. Orchardists with properly specified netting from established suppliers were back in production within a growing season. Those who had sourced from generic importers without UV test certificates were replacing entire canopies at full cost.

UV exposure varies significantly across New Zealand’s main growing regions. The table below shows hail risk and UV conditions by region — use it as a baseline when comparing netting specifications with any supplier.

New Zealand Hail Risk by Region

UV exposure and hail frequency vary across New Zealand’s main growing regions. Use this table to benchmark the minimum netting specification for your location before approaching any supplier.

UV data from NIWA (niwa.co.nz). HALS percentages reflect professional-grade UV stabilisation thresholds — request UV test certificates from any supplier before committing to an order.

Why the Emphasis on Hail Netting?

Hailstorms can wreak havoc on unprotected orchards. The risks are profound in New Zealand, where the apple industry is a significant contributor to the agricultural sector.

For instance, in 2019, a single hailstorm resulted in damage worth millions to Hawke’s Bay apple farms, affecting over 150 hectares of apple crops.

The Boxing Day 2020 storm across Nelson and Tasman drove the lesson home again — hops, grapes, kiwifruit, apples and pears across dozens of farms were hit simultaneously. Orchardists with installed and properly-specified hail netting lost nothing that day.

Choosing Your Supplier – 5 Essential Considerations:

1. UV stabiliser certification: Ask for ASTM D4329 or ISO 4892-3 accelerated weathering test results. Request the HALS percentage in the HDPE resin — professional-grade netting uses ≥2.5%. Any supplier who cannot provide a test certificate is selling on price alone, not specification.
2. Raw material specification: Confirm 100% virgin HDPE — not recycled or blended resin. Recycled HDPE cannot be UV-stabilised to the same standard and degrades faster under NZ conditions. Ask for the resin datasheet.
3. Minimum order quantity and lead time: Local NZ distributors supply from existing stock (days to 2 weeks). Direct import from a manufacturer requires 30–40 days production plus 20–25 days shipping — allow at least 75–90 days from order to delivery in NZ.
4. Warranty and UV performance: Ask specifically for the UV performance warranty period and whether it covers premature degradation under NZ UV conditions. A 5-year warranty on a product rated for 10 years under mild UV may not hold up in Hawke’s Bay or Gisborne.
5. Pre-production sample policy: For orders above 5,000 sqm, request a sample cut from the same production batch — not a display reel. Batch-level testing is the only way to verify the bulk order matches what you approved.

Hail Netting Supplier Directory

The suppliers below are listed for reference only, not in ranked order. Each entry includes a Best for and Not ideal for note to help you match a supplier to your specific situation.

Empak New Zealand LP

• Location: Burbush, Hamilton 3288
• Company Type: Wholesale Supplier
• Year Founded: 2007
• Number of Employees: 20+
• Main Product: Agricultural and Horticultural crop protection against hail, wind, and pests
• Other Products: Netting clips and installation

Empak LP has established roots in Auckland and Christchurch, where they stock and distribute premium quality guaranteed agricultural and horticultural crop protection products. Products from Empak’s warehouses come with quality assurances to keep your crops safe from hail and other harsh weather conditions for up to 10 years and more.

✅ Best for: Waikato, Bay of Plenty and North Island orchardists and vineyard operators; kiwifruit growers wanting integrated Quad Net and vine protection solutions.

⚠️ Not ideal for: South Island buyers needing on-site support; very large commercial operations needing factory-direct volume pricing.

Advanced Landscape Systems

• Location: Sockburn, Christchurch
• Company Type: Supplier
• Year Founded: 1992
• Number of Employees: 40+
• Main Product: Landscaping products
• Other Products: Netting supplies

As a landscaping company, Advanced Landscape Systems has quantitative experience in managing the growth of lands and keeping them in perfect condition. This long-term experience has placed the company in the best position to stock and delivers quality products for crop protection and development.  Their range of landscaping and netting products includes the best netting and horticultural products in New Zealand.

✅ Best for: Canterbury-based operations wanting hail netting integrated with landscaping or revegetation work; buyers who already work with ALS on wider site projects.

⚠️ Not ideal for: Pure hail netting specialist requirements; buyers needing UV test documentation and certified HDPE specifications.

Hortivate

• Location: Motueka, Nelson, New Zealand
• Main Product: Italian-made Valente Leno hail netting; full system design and installation
• Key Crops: Apples, pears, cherries, kiwifruit, berries, viticulture

Hortivate supplies premium Italian-manufactured Valente hail netting backed by 90 years of R&D, tested specifically for NZ UV conditions. Their product range covers grey (12% shade, 10–15 year NZ lifespan), black, and crystal leno weave netting. Unlike most distributors, Hortivate provides a complete service — design consultation, structural engineering for the support system, installation, and ongoing maintenance packages. They work primarily with orchardists across Hawke’s Bay, Nelson, Central Otago, and other key NZ growing regions.

✅ Best for: Orchardists across NZ wanting a premium end-to-end service (design, supply, install, maintenance); high-UV South Island operations where a 10–15 year netting lifespan is the priority; multi-crop operations (apples, cherries, kiwifruit).

⚠️ Not ideal for: Budget-conscious buyers wanting supply-only; very large operations (100+ ha) needing manufacturer-direct volume pricing; self-installation projects.

NETMASTERS

• Location: Whangaparaoa, Auckland
• Company Type: Manufacturer
• Year Founded: 1975
• Number of Employees: 10+
• Main Product: Bird netting, bugs netting, shade cloths, and hail netting
• Other Products: package netting and weed mat

With over 45 years of providing quality crop protection products, Netmasters are indeed masters with their product development and service delivery. They are swift to offer answers on all nets’ specifications and source adequate nets for your orchard or garden. Net masters have earned its place among the leading netting suppliers in New Zealand.

✅ Best for: Auckland-region orchard and garden operations needing a long-established specialist netting company with 50 years of NZ market experience.

⚠️ Not ideal for: Very large commercial operations needing high-volume supply; South Island buyers who need local support.

PGG Wrightson

• Location: Christchurch
• Company Type: Supplier
• Year Founded: 2005
• Number of Employees: 50+
• Main Product: Crop Protection: anti-hail, anti-bird, anti-insect netting
• Other Products:  Pesticides and farming necessities

As part of a company with over 160 years of legacy in the agricultural industry, PGG Wrightson maintains the Wrightson legacy of quality products and excellent customer services. Their products carry the Wrightson stamp of quality and up to 10 years warranty even inconsistent use. PGG Wrightson offers deliveries in rural and industrial quarters of New Zealand, saving you the trouble of leaving your Island to get quality anti-hail nets in Auckland or Christchurch.

✅ Best for: Farmers with existing PGG Wrightson accounts who want credit facilities through a nationwide rural supplier; small orders bundled with wider farm supplies.

⚠️ Not ideal for: Large specialist hail netting projects needing deep technical expertise; buyers wanting factory-direct support for custom UV specifications.

Cosio Industries

• Location: Avondale, Auckland
• Company Type: Supplier
• Year Founded: 1985
• Number of Employees: 25
• Main Product: UltraPro Hail Net, Canopy nets, Frost guards, and protective screens
• Other Products: Netting accessories

Cosio offers an unusual advantage to its consumers. They can get nets that serve as anti-hail protection and regulate the UV rays reaching the plants. These nets come in various models with their benefits and accredited standards. These nets can also offer protection against bees, birds, and other known pests. Cosio holds stock in two NZ warehouses — Auckland and Rolleston — enabling fast delivery across both islands. Products include Ultra-Pro HAILNET (knitted) and Quad-NET, both developed for New Zealand climate conditions.

✅ Best for: Canterbury and Auckland buyers needing fast delivery from local warehouse stock; operations wanting a single supplier for hail netting, shade cloth, weed mat and bird netting.

⚠️ Not ideal for: Very large custom production runs exceeding standard stock quantities; buyers requiring specific HALS loading documentation beyond standard product spec sheets.

NETPRO CANOPIES

• Location: Stanthorpe QLD 4380, New Zealand
• Company Type: Manufacturer, Supplier
• Year Founded: 1998
• Number of Employees: 50+ people
• Main Product: residential and industrial anti-hail protection, netting control against extreme sun rays, birds, and other pests.
• Other Products: sanitation and netting accessories

NetPro offers the most assured anti-hail protection in New Zealand. Their anti-hail nets are ideal for the New Zealand climates and extreme hail conditions; their sturdy designs and variety of options are adequate for most areas of New Zealand. They also offer protective structures against frost, rain and regulate UV ray penetrations.

✅ Best for: Hawke’s Bay apple and pear orchardists needing locally-designed hail protection with full installation and ongoing maintenance service.

⚠️ Not ideal for: South Island growers; supply-only buyers; operations outside Hawke’s Bay needing on-site installation support.

Gale Pacifics

• Location: Mt Wellington, Auckland
• Company Type: Supplier
• Year Founded: 1998
• Number of Employees: 10-50
• Main Product: Shade nets, Hail nets, anti-bird nefs
• Other Products: Netting accesories

Gale Pacific provides woven patterns that have been reinforced and durable protection against hail storms and other weather conditions. The resilient weaves of these high-density polyethylene fabrics will withstand wear and tear even in the worst conditions and after years of use. Gale canopies also protect the crops against assaults from pests and wildlife.

✅ Best for: Lifestyle blocks and smaller operations wanting hail protection combined with shade cloth from an Australian-backed supplier with NZ distribution.

⚠️ Not ideal for: Large commercial orchards needing specialist Leno hail netting with certified UV performance documentation; buyers needing NZ-specific technical installation support.

Polynet Product Limited

• Location: Christchurch, Auckland
• Company Type: Wholesale Supplier
• Year Founded: 1988
• Number of Employees: 100+
• Main Product: Protective nets: hail nets, pest control nets, wind control nets, and shade nets
• Other Products: Netting clips

 Polynets Products Limited has been supplying nets to customers in New Zealand for over 30 years. Stocking products from leading manufacturers and offering them to customers all over the country with swift delivery and quality assurance. Polynets offers nets installations and after-sales services such as net inspections and repairs.

✅ Best for: Auckland-area operations needing polyethylene netting products with installation service and ongoing maintenance support including inspections and repairs.

⚠️ Not ideal for: South Island and regional buyers who need on-site support; buyers needing specialist hail netting with specific UV certifications.

Ritex International

• Location: Tahunanui, Nelson
• Company Type: Wholesale Distributor
• Year Founded: 1988
• Number of Employees: 10+
• Main Product: Distribution of agricultural products, including hail nets, frost cloths, and shade nets
• Other Products: Towels, Nylons, Cloth, bags

Ritex has been in the agricultural sector for over 30 years, bridging the gap between farmers and the necessary protection for their crops. They are one of the few suppliers that maintained the forte of Netting Distributions in New Zealand through the importation of standard quality products. Ritex International has become a staple of quality crop protection with testimonials from their customers all over New Zealand and beyond.

✅ Best for: Nelson/Tasman and Marlborough growers wanting a locally-based specialist who understands top-of-South-Island conditions; combined bird netting and hail netting sourcing from one supplier.

⚠️ Not ideal for: Buyers in other regions needing on-site support from Nelson; buyers needing large-volume custom hail netting with specific UV specification documentation.

Questions to Ask Before Buying Hail Netting

Before placing any hail netting order — local or imported — ask your supplier these four questions. Their answers quickly reveal whether you are dealing with a specialist or a reseller.

1. What is the UV stabiliser (HALS) percentage in your HDPE resin? Professional manufacturers use ≥2.5%. Budget products use 1% or less. This single figure determines netting longevity under New Zealand UV conditions.
2. Can you provide accelerated weathering test results (ASTM D4329 or ISO 4892-3)? Reputable manufacturers hold test records per production batch. If a supplier cannot produce these on request, any UV lifespan claim is unverifiable.
3. Is the HDPE 100% virgin resin, or blended and recycled? Recycled HDPE cannot hold UV stabiliser at the same loading. Ask for the resin datasheet — this is a standard document from any serious manufacturer.
4. Can you provide a pre-production sample from the same batch as the bulk order? This is the only reliable way to verify that what you receive matches what you approved. A display reel sample is not the same.

Considering Direct Import from China

Most local NZ hail netting distributors source from Chinese manufacturers and resell with a margin. For buyers at the right scale and lead time, importing directly can reduce costs by 30–50%.

Local Supplier vs. Direct Import

The hidden cost in local supply: When you buy from a local NZ distributor, you pay not just for netting but for their import, warehousing, and profit margin. For buyers sourcing 20,000+ sqm annually, this margin is worth calculating directly. Many NZ growers run a hybrid model: direct import for planned annual purchases (30–50% savings), local stock for emergency top-ups.

When direct import does not make sense: QC and disputes are entirely your responsibility; local NZ suppliers offer 30–60 day credit terms while factories require T/T upfront; NZD/USD exchange rate movement affects your real landed cost; factory problems affect your season directly with no buffer.

First-Time Import to New Zealand: 7 Steps

1. Request samples + UV test certificates — verify HALS %, confirm netting type
2. Confirm specifications in writing — mesh, wire gauge, roll dimensions, delivery date
3. Pay 30% T/T deposit — balance before shipment or against B/L
4. Production: 30–40 days from confirmed order
5. Ocean freight: 20–25 days — Shanghai/Ningbo to Port of Tauranga or Auckland. Port Nelson and Lyttelton viable for South Island.
6. MPI biosecurity + NZ Customs: 3–5 working days — HDPE netting (HS 5608.19) typically duty-free under NZ-China FTA. 15% GST on CIF value applies.
7. Local transport to orchard — budget 3–5 days for South Island delivery from Auckland or Tauranga

Total lead time: approximately 75–90 days from confirmed order to orchard delivery.

About EyouAgro

EyouAgro is a hail netting manufacturer in Shanghai, China (est. 1996, 8 production lines). We supply Leno woven, Raschel Drape, and Quad Crossover hail netting direct — including to a 100 ha Nelson apple orchard following the 2020 Boxing Day storm.

✅ Good fit if: order >20,000 sqm, planning 75+ days ahead, need specific HALS formulation with UV test documentation, have freight forwarder experience.

⚠️ Not a good fit if: need netting in <4 weeks, first-time importer without logistics support, or block under 5 ha where local stock is more practical.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does hail netting cost in New Zealand?

Leno woven hail netting from local NZ distributors typically costs NZ$3–6 per sqm supply-only. Direct import from a Chinese manufacturer at volumes above 20,000 sqm can reduce that to NZ$1.50–2.50 per sqm (excluding freight, GST, and clearance). Local suppliers often carry stock but add a 30–50% margin over direct import cost.

What type of hail netting do most NZ orchards use?

Transparent or grey Leno woven hail netting is the dominant choice across New Zealand orchards, particularly in Hawke’s Bay and Nelson. Leno weave provides the strength needed for NZ hail events while minimising shading effects on apple colour development. Some growers use Raschel Drape netting for lower-cost seasonal coverage, though Leno is preferred for permanent systems given NZ’s high UV conditions.

How long does hail netting last in New Zealand conditions?

Properly specified hail netting with ≥2.5% HALS UV stabiliser should last 8–12 years in New Zealand. Budget netting with lower UV stabiliser loading (1% or less) typically degrades in 3–5 years under NZ UV exposure, which is approximately 40% higher than at comparable Northern Hemisphere latitudes. Always request ASTM D4329 or ISO 4892-3 weathering test certification before purchasing.

Can I import hail netting directly from China to New Zealand?

Yes. Under the NZ-China FTA, HDPE agricultural netting (HS code 5608.19) typically enters duty-free. GST at 15% applies to all imports. Allow 75–90 days total from order to delivery: 30–40 days production, 20–25 days ocean freight, and 3–5 working days for MPI biosecurity clearance and Customs processing. A licensed NZ customs broker with MPI experience is recommended for first-time importers.

What is the minimum order quantity for hail netting from Chinese manufacturers?

Most professional hail netting manufacturers in China set minimum order quantities at 5,000–10,000 sqm for standard specifications. Below 5,000 sqm, sourcing from a local NZ distributor with existing stock is generally more practical. For NZ orchards under 5 ha, local suppliers like Cosio Industries, Ritex International, or Hortivate are the practical starting point.

Conclusion

The right hail netting supplier in New Zealand depends on two variables: how quickly you need it, and how large your operation is.

For small blocks and urgent requirements, local suppliers — Cosio Industries, Hortivate, NetPro HB, Ritex International — have stock and NZ-specific expertise to deliver fast.

For operations above 20,000 sqm with adequate lead time, the economics of direct import are worth calculating.

A hybrid approach — direct import for planned annual purchases, local stock for urgent top-ups — is how many of New Zealand’s largest orchard operations manage both cost and supply flexibility.

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