Striking Gold: John’s Journey from the Farm to the Orchard

A true farm lad through and through, he spent years working on dairy farms before life called him home to Te Puke to help care for a family member.

With his hands-on experience and strong work ethic, he thought finding his next role would be simple. But after three months of searching, the opportunities just weren’t lining up.

That’s when John reached out to the Ministry of Social Development (MSD), a step that didn’t come easily.

“My dad raised me to work,” John says. “So asking for help was a biggie.”
At one of MSD’s local employment seminars, John met Marian, a work broker who saw something special in him. She recognised that his farming background, mechanical know-how, and machinery skills could be a perfect match for the kiwifruit industry.

“John was open about his situation and experience, but more importantly, he was open to trying something new,” Marian says.

Seeing the potential, Marian reached out to Baygold Ltd, a local kiwifruit development and management company, to put John forward for a seasonal machinery role.

“I told them about his tractor and machinery skills, but it was his attitude that really stood out,” she says.

John joined Baygold on a fixed-term contract, and within just two months, he’d made such an impression that he was offered a permanent position.
Matt, Orchard Services Manager at Baygold, couldn’t be happier with how things turned out.

“John is hardworking, dependable, and a real team player. I can assign him a job knowing it’ll be done well,” Matt says.

From weed sprayers to hydraulic post-hole diggers, John now operates a range of equipment across Baygold’s orchards. His knack for handling machinery, especially tractors in tight orchard rows, has earned him praise from his team.

“He’s the cream of the crop,” Matt adds proudly.

After years of working solo on dairy farms, John says the best part of his new role is being part of a team again.

“Life is so much better. I feel like part of a big family.”

And that’s what Baygold is all about, people, purpose, and growth.

Sometimes, all it takes is a chance.

“MSD and Baygold gave me that chance,” John says. “And here I am. I struck gold.”