Gareth joined AgFirst Southland in 2025, bringing 15 years of consulting experience with AgFirst Northland, where he worked closely with individual farmers and industry groups. With a strong background in both dairy and beef systems, he is focused on supporting farmers to achieve practical, measurable improvements across their businesses.

After graduating from Massey, Gareth worked on a split-calving dairy farm before moving into roles in the fertiliser industry and animal nutrition, eventually joining AgFirst Northland. As a consultant, he values a whole farm system approach, ensuring all components of the business work together to deliver robust, sustainable results. He also encourages a team-based style of consultancy, helping farmers make the most of the skills and insights offered by their wider professional network.

Alongside his advisory work, Gareth has a strong interest in extension and has been involved in numerous industry and farmer-led projects. His contributions to initiatives such as the Northland Dairy Focus Farm, Beef Profit from Pasture, and the Northland Partner Farms helped lay the groundwork for Extension 350—a major regional programme that generated a return of $11.60 for every dollar invested.

Gareth is looking forward to working alongside Guy Michaels in establishing AgFirst Southland and supporting Southland farmers to lift performance and get more from their farm systems.
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Qualifications
• Bachelor of Applied Sciences (Animal Science), Massey University (1993-95)
• Member New Zealand Institute of Rural Professionals

Key Skills
• Whole farm system analysis
• Profit from pasture focus
• Animal production and reproduction
• Farm and financial planning, budgeting and tracking
• Innovative extension project design and delivery

Industry Involvement & Projects
• Multiple extension projects - B+LNZ Monitor Farms, Farming for Profit, Kikuyu Action Group, DairyNZ
• Northland Focus Farm - Candy Focus Farm (2011-2015)
• Northland Partner Farms (2014-2018)
• Northland Beef Profit from Pasture Group (2016-18)
• Extension 350 Project (2017-2020)