We purchased our first Avocado orchard (4ha) in 2015 as an investment, but soon after we relocated north in 2016 and began leasing the existing 12ha family orchard. Since then, we’ve expanded significantly, planting an additional 8.5ha and a third family block of 12ha — now managing approximately 28 canopy hectares. 

Prior to entering horticulture full-time, I spent my career with Fletcher Building in the Steel Distribution Division. I began in sales, progressing to Area Sales Manager for Auckland and the Pacific Islands, before moving into national roles across production, operations, freight, logistics, and health & safety. I ultimately held responsibility for 13 sites across New Zealand. 

For the past seven years, I’ve served as a Director of Team Avocado Trust (TAVO) and a member of the Avoco Grower Relationship Committee (AGRC). For the past four years, I have chaired both TAVO and the AGRC, and I am currently a Grower Director for Avoco. 

These governance roles have given me a deep understanding of the export supply chain — the challenges, inefficiencies, and costs that growers face. They’ve also strengthened my commitment to collaboration across the supply chain to improve outcomes for growers and enhance our product’s journey to market. 

I’m a full-time grower actively involved in all day-to-day orchard operations, from pruning and picking to crop spraying and mowing. Nearly all our household income comes from avocados — so the long-term success of the industry is not just a business interest, but a personal one. 

 Orchard details

Number of planted hectares: 

38 (12.7 Owned) + 25.3 (leased)) 

Number of trees: 

5500  

How long have you been an avocado grower? 

10 years 

What is your involvement in the Avocado Industry?   

Grower but also currently a Committee Member and Chair of Avoco Grower Relationship Committee, Director & Current Chair of TAVO NZ Ltd (Team Avocado Trust), Grower Director for Avoco (NZ Avocado Company Ltd).   

 

Tell us about your role on the orchard as a grower: 

I’m a full-time grower so if I’m not in a tractor crop spraying or mowing, you’ll likely find me in a Hydralada picking or pruning. We undertake all activities on the orchard with the exception of pest monitoring and shelter trimming. 

Your occupation outside growing avocados: 

Full-time grower and a complimentary herd of Beef animals for balance of the property. 

Skill/qualification	Your answer – please provide detail
Legal skills or qualifications
Financial skills or qualifications	10 years of Financial Budget and P&L Management for large multi-site Operations including executive reporting.
Scientific skills or qualifications
Other relevant skills or qualifications – please specify	NZCE Mechanical Engineering -Wintec  Diploma Frontline Business Management – Mt Eliza Business School
Business/commercial experience	National Operations Manager – Steel Distribution (Fletcher Building) – Sep 2014 – Nov 2016  Oversight for Property, Freight & Logistics, Manufacturing, Health & Safety & Quality Management.  National Processing Manager – Easysteel (Fletcher Building) – Jul 2010 – Sep 2014  Sales, Production, Quality & Health Safety Management  Area Sales Manager Auckland & Pacific Islands – Easysteel (Fletcher Building) Jul 2007 – Jul 2010
Current and previous governance experience	Current Director (Chair) TAVO NZ (Team Avocado Trust) – 7yrs  Current Director Avoco (NZ Avocado Company) – 4yrs  Current Director Maungatapere Water Company Ltd – 4yrs
Other stakeholder involvement – grower packer marketer	As above

 

Please share with members how you believe you can add value to growers as an NZAGA Executive and director of NZAIL: 

• Commercial Operations Experience: My corporate background — particularly in operations, logistics, and health & safety — has instilled in me a results-driven mindset. I understand the importance of delivering measurable outcomes for stakeholders while ensuring that cost structures are fit for purpose. 

• Performance Focus: I believe in a Measure to Manage approach setting clear expectations with measurable results, and identifying waste rather than simply cutting cost. 

• Forward Planning: I’m future-focused, aiming to identify tools and strategies to address tomorrow’s challenges, not just today’s. 

• Global Commodity Insight: My experience working with a globally traded commodity like steel has shown me how important quality and service are in maintaining value. This perspective reinforces my focus for New Zealand Avocado growers to consistently lift product quality to remain competitive in export markets. 

• Grower Perspective: Being a full-time grower gives me first hand insight into the realities of orchard management. Coupled with my governance and commercial experience, I can “connect the dots” between boardroom strategy and orchard gate implementation. 

• Supply Chain Alignment: Productivity and alignment throughout the supply chain remain key levers for success — and I am committed to helping lead that work. 

• Stakeholder Collaboration: In recent years, I’ve been more involved in working closely with growers, packers, and marketers to improve communication and alignment across the supply chain. This collaboration has helped identify common issues and work toward practical solutions that benefit all parties. I see open and consistent dialogue as an essential part of building trust and improving outcomes for growers.