Geoff Maber Awarded ONZM for Lifetime Contribution to New Zealand Agribusiness
Waikato agribusiness leader Geoff Maber has been appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours.
Power Farming Group, the family-owned Morrinsville business, has a deal with SDF Italia to exclusively distribute Deutz-Fahr tractors in the US.
The company says that having successfully grown Deutz-Fahr in Australia and New Zealand for a decade, this ambitious expansion is a logical step in its evolution.
Says executive chairman Geoff Maber, “We believe we can replicate our past success in the biggest market of them all – America, where in most years at least 220,000 tractors are sold.”
“We have the people, resources, systems and recipe to take Deutz-Fahr to the next level in the US market. Also, the German pedigree of Deutz-Fahr tractors and their focus on quality and innovation over recent years has resulted in a remarkable transformation, and that is also a big factor in our decision to extend beyond Australasia.”
PFG America will be headquartered in Atlanta with satellite operations in California. The new business is headed by Craig Maber, who has already relocated to Atlanta with his family.
Power Farming, said to be the largest business of its type in the southern hemisphere, goes back three generations to its founding in 1946 when the late Laurie Maber formed the Maber Motors in Morrinsville.
The group operates as four main trading entities: Power Farming NZ in wholesale distribution in NZ, Power Farming Retail retailing in NZ, and Power Farming Australia and Power Farming America, both wholesaling in the respective countries.
Collectively it has annual turnover of $400 million, employs 400 people and has distribution hubs in Morrinsville, Christchurch, Brisbane, Melbourne and Atlanta.
FarmIQ Systems has developed a free land management app to help remove barriers to New Zealand farmers and growers adopting digital tools.
Rural Women New Zealand has announced the winners of the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards.
Horticulture NZ says the funding boost to improve state highway resilience will support growers and strengthen the transport links they rely on to get produce to market.
Gallagher has appointed Rob Clayton as Chief Executive of its global Animal Management business to lead the next stage of growth across key markets.
A Waihi dairy farmer, Keith Torrens, has been convicted and fined $39,000 for the unlawful discharge of dairy effluent following a prosecution taken by Waikato Regional Council.
Taranaki's sunshine and energy sector expertise are powering a new approach to renewable energy, with the launch of BlueGreen Frontiers.

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