The Post December 2025

From food so fresh you can eat it straight out of the ground, to Kiwi crops that travel around the world, we’re getting deep into New Zealand’s cropping industry this December. Join us as we visit the home farm of an iconic Kiwi vegetable brand in the Waikato, and head down to North Canterbury to see how a 350-hectare crop farm has kept it fully organic.

First up, vegetable roots aren’t the only well-established roots in Pukekohe. We chat to Allan and his nephew Cameron Fong, the former CEO and new CEO of the beloved Kiwi brand The Fresh Grower. From starting in small market gardens over 70 years ago to now managing more than 500 acres of a niche vegetable growing operation, The Fresh Grower is a brand founded on fresh thinking.

Next, we catch up with Dave Wooldridge, who manages Organic Farm Holdings in North Canterbury, a 350-hectare organic cropping farm. He talks us through the farming operation, soil regeneration, grazing rotation, and seedbed preparation, and how growing organically is the right choice for them.

Arron Johnson and Isaac Allan of Johnson Fencing in Christchurch show us how using the GOFENCE® GRAB N’ GO Pack makes hanging a gate that much easier.

Hawke’s Bay-based Marie Taylor has fencing advice for farmers nationwide. Marie, co-owner of Plant Hawke's Bay and a NZ native plant expert, a Rural Women's Trust Awards winner and a Queen's Service Medal recipient, chats to us about what a difference deer fencing can make, shares farm planting tips, and advice on how to make the most of fencing your farm.

This month’s State of the Industry provides a current snapshot of New Zealand’s cropping sector, with insights from key leaders and contributors helping shape where it’s headed.

We intend to continue supplying you with the best stories, activities and techniques in agriculture. If you have anything that you would like us to share, please get in touch.