It all started back in 2004 ...

Gary and Anne Fowler had a few visitors from the Pauanui Probus Club over for dinner at their property, which is located just outside of Pauanui. As they were walking around their gardens, one of the visitors made a comment about how the location would be a wonderful place to hold a concert. He said he actually knew of a group that would be perfect for the occasion. Gary and Anne agreed, and the planning began.

In March 2005, The Shy and Retiring Company played at the first Concert in the Orchard. It was such a great success that the Hikuai District Trust was formed to run all future concerts.

Since then, Gary has built a stage in the garden, various artists have been added to the line up, and the audience has grown from 600 the first year to 1500 now attending the sold out concert. The date of the event was also changed so that it is now held in January each year.  The Concert in the Orchard has raised over $100,000 dollars for the Westpac Rescue Helicopters, their chosen charity organisation.