Allan Dawson - Managing Director
BAgSc, M.N.Z.I.A.S, M.N.Z.S.H.S
Formerly a field consultant with MAF and with experience as a private consultant, Allan has been involved in the kiwifruit industry
since 1979. As a grower of both ZESPRI Green and Gold kiwifruit, Allan has a vested interest in ensuring that he stays up
to date with the latest industry developments, and still maintains an active interest in all areas of the company.
| Contact Allan: | Extension 700 | Mobile 0275 902 393 |
Richard Allen - Client Services Manager
DipHort, DipAg, DipBus
Richard comes to Aongatete with a wealth of experience in the horticultural industry. He has Diplomas in Agriculture, Horticulture,
and Business Studies. Between 1982 and 1996, Richard developed several orchards in Tauranga and Whangarei, including his own in Bethlehem.
He has worked previously in both client services and orchard management.
| Contact Richard: | Extension 710 | Mobile 0275 307 909 |
Andrew Dawson - Client Services
BCom(Fors), PGDipCom, National Certificate in Horticulture
Andrew has a commerce degree and post-graduate diploma in marketing from Lincoln University. Prior to coming to Aongatete Andrew worked for Carter Holt Harvey in a
number of roles, including managing a small warehouse team, and customer services. In 2008, Andrew also completed the Horticultural Cadet Programme at BOP
Polytechnic.
| Contact Andrew: | Extension 703 | Mobile 0275 594 0247 |
Rod Calver - Client Services
BAgSc, DipAgEng(Hons), M.N.Z.I.A.S, M.N.Z.S.H.S
Rod has been involved with the kiwifruit industry around Katikati since 1973, when the first diary farm in the district was subdivided for an orchard.
In the past, he has owned a high producing Green orchard, and has been involved in many roles in the industry. Aongatete's former Hortricultural Manager, Rod is also a
life member of the Katikati Fruitgrowers Association
| Contact Rod: | Extension 714 | Mobile 0275 909 710 |
Jacqueline McCormack - Horticultural Technical Leader
BApplSc, Certificate in Sustainable Nutrient Management
Jacqueline joined the team at Aongatete in late 2007. Her background experience is in the pipfruit industry, and she holds degress in Applied Science and
Agribusiness, as well as a Certificate in Sustainable Nutrient Management from Massey University. Jacqueline's key focus is on providing support with vine
husbandry and management techniques, as well as providing fertiliser recommendations and advice on nutrient management
| Contact Jacqueline: | Extension 722 | Mobile 0275 11 4445 |
Christopher Clement - Horticultural Technical Support
BSc(HortSci), Certificate in Sustainable Nutrient Management
Christopher was first employed at Aongatete in early 2008. He has a BSc in Horticultural Science and a Certificate in Sustainable Nutrient
Management from Massey University. Christopher's major area of focus is on the post-harvest side of the business, with strong interests in Aongatete's
Controlled Atmosphere programme and examining the methods of maximising the storage of kiwifruit.
| Contact Christopher: | Extension 721 | Mobile 0275 11 4441 |
Bernie Cookson - Horticultural Manager
Bernie has been involved in kiwifruit operations for a long time. Previously, he ran a packhouse in Waihi, and still maintains an orchard in the area.
At Aongatete, Bernie is responsible for the Orchard Operations team which carries out orchard management activities on a number of leased and managed
orchards, as well as assisting a number of orchard owners in the maintenance of their own properties.
| Contact Bernie: | Extension 755 | Mobile 0275 363 754 |
Nell Dawson - Operations Manager
Nell originally trained as a physiotherapist at Otago University. Since leaving her physiotherapy practice in Katikati a number of years ago,
she has been involved in other forms of health management. Prior to coming to Aongatete, Nell was the manager of Matua Lifecare in Tauranga.
She now brings her management experience to Aongatete as Operations Manager, overseeing production within the packhouse.
| Contact Nell: | Extension 719 | Mobile 0275 494 998 |
Clive Exelby - Packhouse Manager
Clive originally comes from a farming background in the South of the Waikato. After moving to Katikati in 1985, Clive was employed as Production
Manager by Katipak. He has experience in both citrus and avocado packing, but the wealth of his knowledge is focused around the kiwifruit industry.
As Packhouse Manager, Clive oversees the packing process for all fruit recieved on site.
| Contact Clive: | Extension 712 | Mobile 0275 827 207 |
Ivan Davie - Quality Manager
PhD(HortSci)
Ivan has returned to New Zealand after 10 years in the UK working for one of the leading Soft Fruit Marketing where he had a Technical role with responsibility
for Import Suppliers & the management of Import product quality. He has a PhD in Horticultural Science from Massey University looking at the development of soft
patches in long terms stored kiwifruit. Ivan will be responsible for product quality & quality systems from harvest to dispatch.
| Contact Ivan: | Extension 730 | Mobile 0275 273 328 |
Stan Johns - Coolstore Manager
Stan was originally employed at Aongatete in 1989, working as a forklift driver in the coolstores. In 1998, he was
made the Coolstore Manager, a position which he still holds today. Stan is responsible for overseeing the running of both
the conventional and the controlled atmosphere stores, ensuring that fruit quality is maintained prior to shipping
to the market.
| Contact Stan: | Extension 707 |
Janice Whitehead - GlobalGAP & Internal Auditor
National Certificate in Horticulture
Janice is one of Aongatete's longest serving employees, having started working for the company in 1985.
After moving to Katikati from Gisborne, she started working in the orchards, but was quickly moved into the
packhouse and trained as a QC. With a great deal of experience working with kiwifruit, Janice now acts as
Aongatete's GlobalGAP inspector and internal auditor, ensuring that individual orchards and the packhouse itself
meet all required standards.
| Contact Janice: | Extension 701 | Mobile 0275 11 4443 |
Simon Penness - Chief Financial Officer
Simon has headed finance departments in the leisure and retail industries, and has a great deal of financial management experience in
expanding and developing companies. Simon is responsible for the company's accounts, which includes overseeing the Kiwifruit Pool and making
payments to growers. He also heads up the office administation team, which includes Caron Rogers (Reception & Products) and Julie Cunningham (Payroll).
| Contact Simon: | Extension 704 |
Frances Bourke - Production Supervisor
BCMS
Frances is a new addition to the team at Aongatete, starting in early 2009. She has a Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences from Waikato
University, and now acts as one of Aongatete's Production Supervisors. Frances is one of the member of staff who run the InVision and Sizer equipment,
and is present in the Fishbowl during packing.
| Contact Frances: | Extension 742 |
Margaret Miller - Production Supervisor
BSc (HortSci & Eco), Certificate in Sustainable Nutrient Management
Margaret is another member of staff who started at Aongatete in early 2009. Margaret has a Bachelor of Science majoring in Horticultural Science and
Ecology, as well as a Certificate in Sustainable Nutrient Management from Massey University. Margaret also holds the role of Production Supervisor, and is
one of the other members of staff running InVision and Sizer equipment from the Fishbowl during packing
| Contact Margaret: | Extension 742 |
Sue Christie - EDI & Spray Diaries
Sue has been employed at Aongatete since 1993, and has in that time held a variety of roles within the company. Sue now carries out EDI operations
and oversees Electronic Spray Diary Information for all Aongatete Leased and Managed Orchards.
| Contact Sue: | Extension 766 |
Sue Norton - KiwiGreen Co-ordinator
Sue has been employed at Aongatete since 2006 as a member of the QC team, and has over 20 years experience as a QC in the Kiwifruit Industry.
From November to February, Sue co-ordinates KiwiGreen Monitoring of orchards for leafroller and scale. All enquiries regarding KiwiGreen should be directed
to Sue.
| Contact Sue: | Extension 723 |