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.”
The Government has announced changes to stock exclusion regulations which it claims will cut unnecessary costs and inflexible rules while maintaining environmental protections.
Technology and the use of artificial intelligence are increasingly part of life, both on the farm and off it.
Ashleigh Gordon and Leilani Lobb have been named as the two finalists for Dairy Women's Network's (DWN) 2026 Regional Leader of the Year Award.
Animal and Plant Health New Zealand (APHANZ) says the approval of a new fungicide seed treatment is a positive, however growers will be hoping the final approval is completed ahead of the spring season.
North Canterbury farmer Adam Williamson has been appointed DairyNZ's associate director for 2026-27.
Fonterra farmers are set for a multi-billion-dollar payout this week.