Hail Protection
Advanced protection against crop-destroying hail
Without adequate hail protection, a severe storm can devastate an entire season’s crop in minutes. Without it, there is no guarentee of getting your crop to market.
Without adequate hail protection, a severe storm can devastate an entire season’s crop in minutes. Without it, there is no guarentee of getting your crop to market.
Permanent Protection for Peace of Mind
Gain peace of mind today with long-term protection tailored to your orchard – our systems integrate with your structure to provide reliable protection, drawing on decades of European technology and local knowledge, with staged installation options to meet your cashflow needs.
Its not just hail netting
4 Key Benefits
Hail Protection
Shields crops from hailstones, reduces fruit loss, and protects blossoms for better yields while enhancing orchard longevity.
Sunburn Prevention
Reduces light intensity and fruit surface temperature, minimizing plant stress and improving crop quality.
Wind Defence
Acts as a barrier to lower wind speed, prevents damage to branches and fruit, and supports stable plant growth.
Microclimate Stability
Regulates temperature and humidity, creating optimal growing conditions for higher yields.
Hail Netting Systems
Every orchard is different — location, crop type, wind exposure, and site layout all influence which hail netting system performs best. Hortivate designs and installs three proven configurations to suit a range of growing environments and protection needs.
V5 Centre Release
One of the most widely used and proven hail netting systems in New Zealand, the V5 design funnels hail toward the centre of the row, where it releases through the gutter system.
By shedding hail quickly, the netting reduces loading on the structure and minimises stress during heavy storms.
KEY FEATURES
- Suitable for three-row structures, including retrofit applications
- Proven to be effective in releasing hail
- Reduces net and post loading, extending structural life
- Can be fully retracted after harvest and during winter or pollination
- Still requires proper structural design for potential loads, wind speeds, and soil anchor strength
Centre Clip
Centre Clip is the most cost-effective hail netting design. Using fewer clips and no bungees, it’s quick to install, and just as easy to retract and redeploy during the winter months.
This system can hold more hail before releasing, so it’s essential that it’s installed on a suitably engineered structure to handle the load.
A great choice for regions with moderate hail activity.
KEY FEATURES
- Lowest-cost hail netting configuration
- Quick to retract and deploy
- Must be installed on a properly engineered structure, as it can hold more hail before releasing
- Reliable option for regions with moderate hail activity
Bungee Crossover
Designed for orchards exposed to higher wind zones, the Bungee Crossover system uses tensioned bungees to absorb micro-vibrations caused by wind, reducing stresses that impact the structure durectly.
The crossover pattern also creates a seal against birds and insects — an approach widely used in Europe for BMSB (Brown Marmorated Stink Bug) control.
The CCrossover system also sits flat, a great option for lower strucutres where maximum height clearence underneath is required
KEY FEATURES
- Lowest-cost hail netting configuration
- Quick to retract and deploy during dormant months
- Must be installed on a properly engineered structure, as it can hold more hail before releasing
- Reliable option for regions with moderate hail activity
Hail Netting Specifications
Every orchard is different — location, crop type, wind exposure, and site layout all influence which hail netting system performs best. Hortivate designs and installs three proven configurations to suit a range of growing environments and protection needs.
Crystal Netting
| Colour | Crystal |
|---|---|
| Weave Type | Leno Weave |
| Shading Percentage | 7% |
| Wind Permeability | 85% |
| Exp Lifespan (NZ Conditions) | 7+ years |
| Suited to | Colour sensitive crops in moderate-UV regions |
| Netting impact |
|
| Typical use case | Maximise light exposure for high-colour crops like cherries and red apple varieties in cooler regions or early harvest blocks where strong colour and maturity are critical. |
White Netting
| Colour | White |
|---|---|
| Weave Type | Leno Weave |
| Shading Percentage | 12-14% |
| Wind Permeability | 85% |
| Exp Lifespan (NZ Conditions) | 10-15 years |
| Suited to | Colour sensitive crops seeking good UV with reduced heat stresss |
| Netting impact |
|
| Typical use case | Protect apples, pears, and kiwifruit in warmer areas where moderate shading is needed to reduce heat stress and sunburn, while still achieving good fruit colour and pack-out quality. |
Grey Netting
| Colour | Grey |
|---|---|
| Weave Type | Leno Weave |
| Shading Percentage | 12% |
| Wind Permeability | 85% |
| Exp Lifespan (NZ Conditions) | 10-15 years |
| Suited to | A suitable netting for all crops in high UV exposure regions, including colour sensitive crops |
| Netting impact |
|
| Typical use case | Balance light and heat in mixed-climate orchards growing a variety of crops — ideal when you need consistent canopy conditions and even colour without over-shading. |
Black Netting
| Colour | Black |
|---|---|
| Weave Type | Leno Weave |
| Shading Percentage | 15% |
| Wind Permeability | 85% |
| Exp Lifespan (NZ Conditions) | 15+ years |
| Suited to | Regions with intense UV and crops with high sunburn risk. |
| Netting impact |
|
| Typical use case | Suppress blush and prevent sunburn on green varieties like Granny Smith, or in hot, high-radiation environments where fruit appearance and storage quality are at risk from overheating. |
GROW BETTER BY CROP
From intensive pipfruit to vulnerable berries, we understand the specialised protection needs of different crops and growing styles.
Success story
See how our end-to-end solutions are protecting crops across New Zealand:
