Plant Fiend

Description

ISBN: 9781988550862
Title: Plant Fiend
Author: PETER BUTLER

Description: The fascinating story of an entrepreneur who has been growing plants for most of his adult life. In this memoir Peter Butler explores his relationship with plants, which have always been both a love and a refuge. In the mid 1970s he and his then partner purchased 90 acres of dense rainforest in Golden Bay’s Aorere Valley. Living amongst the nikau and rata developed his passion for forest plants but it was gold-mining that helped fi nance his experimentation with commercial crops. He started with subtropical fruit, before becoming one of New Zealand’s fi rst certifi ed organic kiwifruit growers. When the wet climate and marketing issues put an end to the kiwifruit, growing cannabis was his next venture. It also did not end well for him. Wanting a high value but legal crop to grow, Peter then researched the medicinal properties of New Zealand native plants. The plant with the best supporting science was horopito, one of the world’s oldest fl owering plants. His plantation of horopito now covers several hectares and the resulting business, Forest Herbs Research, has developed products utilising the plant’s powerful anti fungal properties. Peter also helped grow a large online retailer of natural health and skincare products, HealthPost, based in Collingwood and owned by him and his family. Plant Fiend is the story of a driven, risk-taking entrepreneur. His successes and struggles are described with honesty and humour, making for a wonderfully engaging, refl ective read.

Author Biography: After completing a Political Science and History degree at the University of Canterbury and moving to a remote forest in Golden Bay, Peter threw himself into several entrepreneurial activities, not all of which were successful. However, his relentless determination paid off with the highly regarded natural health companies Forest Herbs and HealthPost. Outside of horticultural and business activities he has produced a feature documentary and written four books. His current passion is to improve the biodiversity of the Wharariki Farewell Spit area as Chair of HealthPost Nature Trust.

Format: Trade Paper
Publication date: 01/09/2026
Available stock: 1