We want to get back to NZ, if we are able to work for ourselves, because we miss the relaxed atmosphere, beaches, and fresh fruit.

To date I have yet to meet a wholesaler in my area that has been successful and the auction block has been yielding a little more than prune juice. 

I guess since neither of us work for that fruit-logoed company, it may be time to figure out an exit strategy instead.  

There is lower hanging fruit available for motivated agents generally.

It will take a bit of hard work and some initial capital, but can be fruitful if you get good at it.

I hope your attempts are fruitful too.Thank you all for your input!

Peter, I juiced up the expenses a bit for a worst case scenario. 

If there are any builders that would love to show me the ropes and enjoy the fruit of their labor in a year or two once I'm doing these deals, please reply and lets set something up!

The MLS usually has lame deals,  marketing campaigns take a while to bare fruit, chasing leads is well chasing leads.  

IF you fall and hit your head hard enough on it,,,it well might be termed 'HARD' .It might be termed hard if you drop a glass jar of sticky pickle juice, shattering your 'day' and making clean up the order of the day!!!