Stihl Launches BT140, Its First Battery-Powered Auger
With battery tools becoming more widespread and more importantly, productive and reliable, it was only time before we saw augers or post-hole borers.
PM Chris Luxon with Power Farming chair Geoff Maber at the opening of the company’s new facility at Pokeno late last month.
Morrinsville based Power Farming Group has launched a flagship New Zealand facility in partnership with global construction manufacturer JCB Construction.
Located at Pukekohe, south of Auckland, the new complex was officially opened in March by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
Power Farming is New Zealand’s most successful family-owned agricultural business with more than 75 years’ experience and 21 dealerships across the country. The company say its latest collaboration with JCB Construction is a fine fit for Power Farming, given that JCB has become Britain’s most successful family-owned business since their formation in 1945.
Power Farming executive director Brett Maber says the purposebuilt facility represents a multi-million-dollar investment for the business.
“We are very proud to establish this new branch alongside JCB Construction.
“This undertaking reinforces our commitment and confidence in the agricultural sector, and now for the first time also positions our brand for future growth in the construction sector too.”
Prime Minister Luxon acknowledged the importance of brands like Power Farming and JCB Construction to the New Zealand economy, and the respective roles they can play in contributing towards the government’s future-focussed infrastructure plan.
“This is a great example of a fantastic New Zealand business investing in construction and agriculture, and it’s fantastic to see a familyowned business wanting to take the step of investment to make sure we can serve the agriculture industry alongside the construction and building industry in a much better way.”
JCB’s group executive director from the UK, George Bamford, who also attended the opening, along with JCB’s director for the pacific region, Richard Myles, says the company is very optimistic about the platform this partnership presents for their brand in New Zealand.
“It’s great to see Power Farming investing in the JCB brand and expanding into the construction business. We are very optimistic about a bright future for the Power Farming Group Construction team as we raise the brand profile in the New Zealand market with this exciting partnership.”
Now in its fourth year, the 2026 Fencing Industry Awards, formed part of the proceedings of the FCANZ Conference, held in Nelson during August.
DairyNZ deputy chair Cameron Henderson has been re-appointed unopposed for another term.
OPINION: The stats speak for themselves.
Farms across the upper North Island are trialling different pasture mixes as part of a research programme that aims to build greater resilience into farming systems.
Election years are always a concerning time for farmers, according to DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown.
The Ballance Farm Environment Awards are coming to the West Coast of the South Island.

OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…