In the spring of 2023, I bought a batch of Wildfire chillies from Mitre 10. Throughout spring and into summer, I tended to them diligently until they matured and started bearing pods. Being a fan of spicy cooking, I'd often struggle with the cost of such ingredients. So, I decided to try growing them myself. Come February, after a successful harvest, I was pleasantly surprised by the satisfaction of growing my own chillies.

Those familiar with me know I tend to dive headfirst into new ventures. Thus, after a marathon of YouTube binges, including Pepper Geek, Chilli Chump, and Hot Ones, I found myself investing in gear for indoor chili cultivation. Transforming my garage into a legit grow space, I now have the capacity to churn out around 250 seedlings every few months.

My vision for Sunshine Chillies is to introduce exotic chilli varieties to the community of Gisborne and beyond, making them more accessible across New Zealand. While there's potential for this venture to evolve into a means of supporting my family, at present, it's just an enjoyable little side project.