Rockit Global appoints COO
Rockit Global has appointed Ivan Angland as its new chief operating officer as it continues its growth strategy into 2025.
Rockit Global says horticulture has the potential to transform the rural Canterbury landscape over the next 20 years.
“Growing apples uses significantly less water, requires markedly lower nitrogen inputs than either dairy or arable production and, as a perennial crop, doesn’t require annual cultivation,” explains chairman John Loughlin.
General manager commercial Tom Lane says a key part of the company’s strategy was geographical diversification.
“Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne remain home for Rockit, but we are looking to ensure the longterm resilience of our growing footprint,” he told Hort News. “We are using climate scenario modelling to identify new growing regions and see Canterbury becoming a prime region for horticultural production in New Zealand in coming years.”
Welcoming the alliance with the Turleys, Lane says they have a well-deserved reputation as excellent growers at the forefront of innovation and diversification.
“We are proud to have them as our first commercial partner in the South Island.”
Rural contractors will be able to play a role in the revamped agricultural plastic recycling scheme with new regulations due for Cabinet signoff before this year’s election.
Farm workers living in accommodation provided by their employers are now set to be able to access their KiwiSaver funds to buy their first home thanks to a pending change in the rules governing KiwiSaver.
Treat agricultural emissions differently. That’s the message from the chair of the prestigious Riddet Institute, Sir Lockwood Smith.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand Inc and Pacific Toyota have pulled the covers off the season's most unique performance vehicle - The Lamb Cruiser.
The 2026 New Zealand Horticulture Conference is set to see more than 900 growers, employers, service providers and industry stakeholders gather in Wellington in July.
New Zealand's longest running television programme, the iconic Country Calendar, celebrated its 60th birthday in style in Wellington last week.

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