11 minute read
Tūkaikaha ngā kaimahi ki te ngahuru tau
Acknowledging a decade of service
At Parininihi ki Waitōtara (PKW), longevity transcends the simple ticking of a clock – it embodies growth, connection, and evolving as kaitiaki alongside the land and its people. With this recognition, PKW acknowledges the ten-year service of 12 kaimahi, and share the personal thoughts from four of them on the professional growth that has shaped their time with the incorporation.
MĀ MAHI KA ORA
A Decade of Development and Dedication: Levi Scown - Te Rau Whakahuka / PKW Farm Manager
“I have a whakapapa connection to the incorporation through my grandmother Shirley Broughton and her uncle Barry Broughton O’Brien. And through those family ties, I started working on the Kōkiri farm which was being managed back then by a PKW sharemilker. That kind of got me involved. I gave it a crack, liked it, and stuck to it.
I started on the sharemilking side 16 years ago there, which is Farm 15 now, down Palmer Road. I did six years there, and then I moved to where I am now, at Farm 13 on Skeet Road. I did a year as part of the relief team and have been the manager on Farm 13 for nine years now.
Since my time, I have watched this farm develop from two farms into one big unit. Watching that happen over the years has been pretty cool. Everything is a milestone in my eyes. Reaching small targets all contributes to the big milestones.
PKW has made their vision clear – we look after this land and leave it better than we found it. Things like the riparian planting have made the place beautiful. It looks really good.
Shane Miles, (Te Rau Whakahaumako/GM Ahuwhenua) I’ve known now for more than 16 years. He’s shown me a lot and taught me a lot. If it wasn’t for him, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.
Whether my children follow me into this career, I’m not sure. I have three young boys, and I think they might like their weekends off. But in saying that, PKW are the best corporation I have worked for, they’ve come a long way, and I hope they continue.”
HE PUĀWAI NŌ RUNGA I TE TIKANGA
Connecting Governance and Provenance: Jacqui King - Te Rau Whakapuāwai / Head of Corporate Services
“When I first looked at joining PKW, the biggest push came from my aunt, urging me to work for our own. It’s something you just don’t ignore when the call comes from your family, pushing you to contribute to your community.
My father, being a dairy farmer, was deeply involved in the community’s ups and downs, which heavily influenced my decision. Coming from a background where I worked at a commercial law firm, moving to PKW was a significant shift. It was about embracing a role that wasn’t just about career progression but was deeply tied to working for and with our people.
Working at PKW, I was drawn to the sense of leadership that was courageous and visionary. It was evident in everyone I worked with, from the board to the management. This leadership wasn’t just about making decisions; it was about embodying and advocating for our values in every action we took.
What I’ve grown to appreciate the most over the years is how PKW manages to balance professional rigour with a deep respect for our kaupapa Māori. We’re not just running a business; we’re nurturing our community, our land, and our people, ensuring that our operations benefit not just current but future generations.
Looking ahead, I see PKW continuing to lead with integrity and innovation. We have a clear vision that respects our traditions while embracing modern governance and management practices. This is crucial as we aim to provide more opportunities for our people and ensure the sustainability of our resources.
My journey here has been about much more than professional growth. It’s been a profound reconnecting with my roots and understanding the power of community-centric leadership. It’s about paving the way for future generations to thrive, knowing their heritage and the land they come from.”
MĀ TE RINGA RAUPŌ, MĀ TE RINGA RAUPĀ, KA ORA
Leading capability and professionalism: Shane Miles - Te Rau Whakahaumako / General Manager Ahuwhenua
“I started working at the incorporation when it was going through changing its organisational approach from being passive to actively involved in the management of its whenua and business: from having sharemilkers to owning our own herds on the farms.
Initially my role was as a farm supervisor, then I moved onto operational management, and I have been in the Te Rau Whakahaumako (General Manager Ahuwhenua) role for the around six years. Being part of the development and seeing those changes from when the farming was outsourced to growing our own management organisational capability makes me proud of the kaupapa that has been nurtured along the way, leading to the growth of the organisation.
You could say it’s like watching the emerging personality of the incorporation and see it mature as an intergenerational business.
However, the successes have gone hand in hand with challenging times. Now that I reflect on that journey, we have just had to get on and do the mahi that needs to be done. It hasn’t been easy, but the kaupapa ultimately creates an overwhelming sense of surety about our intentions bearing the results we are seeking.
Prior to coming into the incorporation I had some sense of its history, and in particular the importance of the whenua to the shareholders. Now that I’ve been here a while and I’m immersed in the organisation, understanding the tikanga and reo elements that we interact with on a dayto-day basis, you intrinsically know of its importance.
The challenge is keeping ahead of the changes in farming practices and expectations. Inside the farm gate we can determine our own path but outside the farm gate, with climate change, and other regulatory issues emerging, we are probably one of the best-placed farming businesses in Taranaki to respond, but still meeting those expectations doesn’t make the job easier and acting on shareholder aspirations into the future.
Post COVID, farm cost inflation has been increasing 20-30% year on year, at a time when milkprices have been relatively flat, which has its impacts on profitability. Nevertheless, the people in the business and the operators we have on farm, are critical to our success. Alongside the on-farm resources and infrastructure we have built up, as well as the efforts of all our people onfarm assists us to keep operating an efficient business. I can’t reinforce enough the mahi and efforts of our people.
I’m thankful for all the Farms Management team members, some of whom are included in this article recognising their long service, and grateful for the mentors/CEOs I have been involved with in my time at PKW –from Dion Tuuta, then Warwick Tauwhare-George and more recently to Aisha Ross – and their leadership that has been provided. It’s enabled me to get on and do my job.”
TŪ TE NGANAHAU
Being resilient and forward thinking: Roger Landers - Te Whakaraupā Ringa / Business Manager
“Over the past ten years with PKW, my journey has been both enriching and challenging, presenting numerous opportunities for growth and reflection. When I started, my role was largely centred on overseeing dairy farm operations. Coming from a background in dairy farming and having some prior exposure to PKW through family connections, I was familiar with the organisation but unaware of the depth of its history and operations. This role has allowed me to delve further into the intricacies of the business and its rich heritage dating back to the 1860s.
One of the standout benefits of working with PKW has been the opportunity to engage with and learn from a diverse group of dedicated individuals. The support from Shane Miles, who has been a constant leader, and the collaborative spirit of colleagues like Bronwyn and other long-serving staff members, has been instrumental. These relationships have not only made my job easier but have also fostered a strong team dynamic that is crucial for success.
The opportunities have been vast, from overseeing the development of new dairy farms to navigating the complexities of compliance and environmental sustainability. The shift towards greater regulatory compliance, especially in areas like greenhouse gas emissions and health and safety, has been significant.
These changes have required us to continually adapt and improve our practices, ensuring that we remain ahead of the curve without becoming complacent.
However, these advancements have not come without challenges. The increasing demands for compliance and the need to constantly update our practices to meet new standards can be daunting. Yet, these challenges also push us to innovate and refine our operations, making us more resilient and forward-thinking.
Despite the inevitable hurdles – be it economic fluctuations, environmental challenges, or operational setbacks – we have consistently strived to add value and uphold the principles of stewardship and sustainability.
The yearly AGM also serves as a reminder of our mission and the collective efforts of our shareholders, reinforcing the importance of our work.”
KIA MĀMĀ TE NGĀKAU
Growing Health & Safety Culture: Bronwyn MacFarlane - Te Rau Māheniheni / H&S Manager
“When I first joined the PKW team, it was like stepping into uncharted territory – a blank slate full of possibilities. We weren’t trying to fix something broken; we were building something entirely new from the ground up. This fresh start was a significant drawcard for me. I remember saying to our CEO at that time, Dion Tuuta, ‘We’re not watering anything down because we’re farmers. We’re going to be as good as any other business.’ That commitment has been a guiding principle throughout my time here.
The journey has been marked by the integration of our values into every aspect of our operations. Initially, there wasn’t a strong health and safety culture within the farming industry at large, but we set out to change that as a business and ensure that our practices were on par with any leading business, not just in farming but across all sectors. The leadership’s support, especially from Dion, has been pivotal. Their buy-in and enthusiasm have driven our success.
One of the most fulfilling aspects has been watching the company grow and evolve. We’ve expanded into new areas like forestry, each bringing its own set of challenges. But it’s this constant change and the need to adapt and improve that keeps us from becoming complacent. Working with our contractors and helping them build their capabilities has been particularly rewarding. It’s a testament of our commitment not just to our success but the success of everyone we work with.
Looking ahead, maintaining our health and safety standards while aligning with our core values is crucial. It’s not just a regulatory requirement; it’s integral to our business philosophy. Our shareholders have also evolved in their understanding and appreciation of these efforts. They value success stories, and my goal has always been to provide those, showing them that we’re working hard on their behalf.
Throughout this journey, I’ve been fortunate to work with some incredible people. The support from Shane Miles, Roger Landers, Jacqui King, and our long-term contractors, has been outstanding. It’s this strong network and shared dedication that have made the past decade at PKW so remarkable. Good health and safety practices are fundamental to good business, and that’s a principle I’m proud to have helped embed deeply into our operations.”
TE KŌKIRI WHAKAMUA - Forward together
The reflections of Levi, Jacqui, Shane, Roger and Bronwyn underscore a decade marked by significant achievements, personal growth, and an unwavering dedication to the kaupapa and community they cherish – rooted in tradition, driven by innovation, and dedicated to the prosperity of their people and their land.
PKW wish to also acknowledge the following kaimahi for their long service:
Bex Kelbrick - Te Whakaraupā Ringa / Business Manager
Ross & Shelley Clark - Te Rau Āwhina / Farming Partner, Farm 9
Trent & Pip Olliver - Te Rau Āwhina / Farming Partner, Farm 11
Matt Kelbrick - Te Rau Āwhina / Farming Partner, Te Ruru
Chris Paterson - Te Rau Whakamaru / Drystock Farm Manager
John Harold - Te Rau Whakamaru / Drystock Farm Manager
