YOUR INDUSTRY
Sam Shergold
The tale of a young avocado grower
YOUNG GROWERS
Sam Shergold is an ocean lover. It’s his self-confessed second home and where he’s been successful in the world of surf lifesaving through Mount Maunganui Life Guard Service. And it taught him how to challenge himself and also, we suspect, self-discipline. By Heather Woods With lives in his hands and a passion for life saving sports, he has excelled. He also took on the World Paddle Board Championships – which he won. It was in this exhilarating world that he met his mentor, Tony Bradley, who guided him into a career at Aongatete Avocados. Tony also gave him a nudge to complete the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme where he recently became an alumni. Sam spoke to us about what learned from the programme and how he views the lie of the land as we navigate 2021. Making it in an avocado world Completing a Bachelor of Business at the University of Waikato, and building up a solid background in planning and executing charity events at Tauranga Te Papa Rotary in a fundraising capacity, the world of avocados was 56
The ORCHARDIST : FEBRUARY 2021
but a blip on Sam’s future radar. But like a duck to water, Sam makes easy work of the daily grind. Aongatete Avocados manage over 80 avocado orchards producing fruit for both the domestic and export markets. They take care of everything from planting orchards to finding land for growers, orchard management, picking the fruit, packhouse management and shipping produce to supermarkets. They cover the entire supply chain process and are now looking to grow that supply chain direct to customers via their online store ‘Avo Orchard’. And it’s Sam’s job to travel between orchards and make sure the growers are happy. Listening to the feedback they provide and hearing their problems is critical for success, and for forward planning three, six and twelve months ahead. Client services is a critical role.
