Please click on the tabs below for more information about our team.
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 maintains an active interest in all areas of the company.
| Contact Allan: | Extension 700 | Mobile 0275 902 393 |
Alan Thorn - Grower Services Manager
MSc, MBA
Alan has an extensive scientific background; he graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Earth Sciences) then spent 21 years as a research scientist with the Forest Research Institute. Alan has a strong business background and has previously worked as a Client Service Manager for Forest Research. He completed a Masters of Business Administration through Massey University Executive Programme. Most recently Alan held the role of Chief Executive for the Avocado Industry Council. Alan is in charge of all Grower Services operations which includes the planning and strategic development for our leased and managed profile.
| Contact Alan: | Extension 715 | Mobile 021 343 576 |
Richard Allen - Grower Services Representative
DipHort, DipAg, DipBus
Richard comes to Aongatete with a wealth of experience in the horticultural industry and 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 grower services and orchard management.
| Contact Richard: | Extension 710 | Mobile 0275 307 909 |
Andrew Dawson - Grower Services Representative
BCom(Fors), PGDipCom, National Certificate in Horticulture
Andrew has a commerce degree and a post-graduate diploma in marketing from Lincoln University. Prior to joining our Grower Services team Andrew worked for Carter Holt Harvey in a number of roles, including managing a small warehouse team and in customer services. In 2008 Andrew completed the Horticultural Cadet Programme at BOP Polytechnic.
| Contact Andrew: | Extension 703 | Mobile 0275 940 247 |
Rod Calver - Grower Services Representative
BAgSc, DipAgEng(Hons), M.N.Z.I.A.S, M.N.Z.S.H.S
Rod has been involved with the Katikati kiwifruit industry since 1973 when the first dairy 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. Rod is Aongatete's former Horticultural Manager and is also a life member of the Katikati Fruitgrowers Association.
| Contact Rod: | Extension 714 | Mobile 0275 909 710 |
Margaret Miller - Technical Leader
BSc (HortSci & Eco), Certificate in Sustainable Nutrient Management
Margaret joined Aongatete in early 2009 and initially held the role of Production Supervisor so she has a lot of experience with orchard monitoring and maturity testing. She has a Bachelor of Science majoring in Horticultural Science and Ecology, as well as a Certificate in Sustainable Nutrient Management from Massey University. Margaret’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 Margaret: | Extension 722 | Mobile 0275 763 899 |
Matt Nelson - Field Technical Manager
Prior to joining Aongatete, Matt worked at Seeka and brings with him a wealth of industry knowledge. Working closely with both Grower Services and the Technical team, Matt manages all on-orchard operations, providing horticultural recommendations and forecasting. With much hands-on experience, you will see Matt out and about in the Orchards.
| Contact Matt: | Extension 738 | Mobile 0275 114 420 |
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 joining 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 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 on site.
| Contact Clive: | Extension 712 | Mobile 0275 827 207 |
Stan Johns - Coolstore Manager
Stan was originally employed at Aongatete in 1989 as a forklift driver in the coolstores. Stan is responsible for overseeing the operation 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 |
Graham Teal - Fruit Quality Manager
Graham is a long-standing avocado grower with extensive experience in both postharvest operations and sub-tropical fruit growing. Graham was self-employed in a glasshouse operation for 23 years before moving to the kiwifruit and avocado industry. He has worked is all facets of the kiwifruit industry including in Client Services, as a Site Manager, in Orchard Management and as Quality Manager. As a grower and as Fruit Quality Manager Graham, is focused on quality, production and OGR.
| Contact Graham: | Extension 730 | Mobile 0275 273 328 |
Claire Glass - Shipping Co-Ordinator
Claire and her family moved to New Zealand in 2006. Prior to joining Aongatete Claire worked for another kiwifruit post-harvest operator. Claire manages the WOCA (Web Order Collaboration Allocation) and SCM (Supply Chain Management) computer systems for us as well as our shipping operations
| Contact Claire: | Extension 734 |
Christopher Clement - Postharvest 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, particularly in Aongatete's Controlled Atmosphere programme and optimising the storage of kiwifruit.
| Contact Christopher: | Extension 721 | Mobile 0275 11 4441 |
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 |
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 |
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 administration team, which includes Julie Cunningham (Accounts & Payroll).
| Contact Simon: | Extension 704 |
