A programme specifically for retail sales trainees has been run since 2018 to introduce new personnel to the PGG Wrightson and Fruitfed Supplies teams.
There are currently four talented young Trainee Technical Horticultural Representatives (THRs), one each in Blenheim, Christchurch, Ohakune and Pukekohe.
Katelyn Dyer, age 21, grew up on a kiwifruit orchard near Tauranga. In 2022, she completed a Bachelor of Horticultural Science at Massey University, having also worked for other major businesses in the kiwifruit sector during university holidays. She started as a Trainee THR in Blenheim last month and is being mentored by experienced THR Mike Treloar.
Katelyn says she was inspired to apply for the programme after the opportunity to shadow another Trainee THR, Hannah Greaves, in Hawke’s Bay. “Hannah was enthusiastic about the programme and her work in Hawke’s Bay really interested me. I’m excited to kickstart my career with such a great company, working in a sector I’m so passionate about. Mike is a very knowledgeable company representative and i’m looking forward to the opportunity to learn an incredible amount during the next 18 months.”
Based at Fruitfed Supplies Christchurch, Harrison Still joined the Trainee THR programme back in March last year. He also grew up near Tauranga, spending his school holidays picking avocados and visiting his grandfather’s apple orchard in Hawke’s Bay. Having completed a Diploma in Agriculture at Lincoln University, Harrison then worked on a 100 ha blackcurrant farm.
With a strong desire to learn more about the horticulture sector, Harrison applied for and was accepted as a Trainee. He is interested in innovative and softer chemistry, such as biological crop protection products, and how they can help growers with crop yields.
Harrison says: “Being based in Christchurch, I’ve been able to see a variety of horticultural crops like pipfruit, onions, potatoes, blackcurrants, carrots, sweetcorn and others with our local THRs like Robert Wards who I’ve spent a great deal of time with. I’ve also been fortunate to spend time with some Hawke’s Bay THRs as I build my knowledge of chemicals and fertilisers, as well as the identification of and appropriate treatment for pests and diseases. It’s interesting to learn about the various options available to treat a potential issue that a grower wants to tackle; there are many variables to consider.”
Harrison is now building his own direct connections with growers and has a small roster of clients to service. He’s passionate about helping them continue to grow quality produce.
Conor Robertson hails from Matawai, near Gisborne, where most of his family are involved in the primary sector. He recently completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey University while working on dairy farms and sheep and beef farms during the summer breaks. Now Conor is based at Fruitfed Supplies Ohakune where long-time THR Kath Lee-Jones is his mentor.
Conor’s affinity for agriculture was a large part of his decision to apply as a Trainee, and he can see the career and learning opportunities ahead.
Learning from a THR like Kath, with her in-depth knowledge of many horticultural crops, provides Conor with a fresh perspective of the primary sector which he finds fascinating. “I didn’t study many horticultural topics at Massey so it’s new and exciting to see the scale of the horticultural operations around the region. I’ve learned a lot since starting last November and look forward to learning much more throughout the programme.”
Kiri Matthews has had a passion for horticulture since her early years at Pukekohe High School and now she’s a Trainee THR based at Fruitfed Supplies in Pukekohe. Following school, she headed to Massey University to complete a Bachelor of Horticulture, where she further fuelled her passion for crop production and agronomy across horticulture and agriculture.
Kiri’s background includes seasonal jobs in a kiwifruit packhouse, as a Planter Operator for a Pukekohe vegetable cropping business and in the PGG Wrightson Fruitfed Supplies Pukekohe store. She also spent a summer working on a sheep and beef station near Ohakune. Kiri was the 2022 recipient of the Fruitfed Supplies scholarship for Massey University horticultural students.
For information on Trainee THR and TFR vacancies, please visit careers.pggwrightson.co.nz. Applications for 2023/24 open later this year.
Fruitfed Supplies' Horticultural Trainee Representatives continuing education
