People & Culture

People and Culture lie at the heart of everything we do. As a proud Māori-owned business, we hold deep-rooted values of manaakitanga and whanaungatanga among others close to our core. We believe that our success in horticulture is intricately tied to the growth and wellbeing of our people.

We strive to be more than just an employer – we aspire to be the best employer. We recognise that our kaimahi are our greatest asset, and fostering a culture of support, respect, and continuous development is key. Our commitment to being a leading employer is reflected in our dedication to providing opportunities for personal and professional growth, creating a workplace where every individual feels valued, empowered, and inspired to thrive.

Growing people is not just a slogan for us – it’s a philosophy that drives everything we do. We understand that nurturing talent, fostering leadership, and embracing diversity are essential not just for the success of our business but also for the communities we are all a part of. Whether it is through skills training, cultural enrichment, or career advancement opportunities, we are dedicated to helping our kaimahi reach their full potential.

People Mapping

At Ngāi Tukairangi Orchards, we currently employ 75 permanent kaimahi across our sites. Our most recent analysis shows that our kaimahi make up is as follows:

Our Kerikeri site is managed by Seeka, and we have a mixed workforce comprised of permanent kaimahi, contractors, seasonal workers and RSE (Recognised Seasonal Employer) scheme workers.
Moving into the future, we only hope for these numbers grow, with a particular focus on employing the hau kāinga of each of the rohe we operate in. These are Kerikeri, Te Moana-a-Toi, Tūranganui-a-Kiwa, and Te Matau-a-Māui.

Training Opportunities

Training is an area within the organisation that we are looking to streamline. Although our staff aren’t required to gain a formal education, there are ways that the organisation can support kaimahi with regard to skill improvement and feeling more confident about their future. These opportunities include:

Study fees

Study fees covered for level 2-4 courses relevant to your role

1 & 2 Drivers Licenses

Helping kaimahi to get their Class 1 & 2 Drivers Licenses

First Aid Certificates

Mental Health & Wellbeing Certificates

EAP services for kaimahi and whānau

Access to EAP services for kaimahi & whānau support

Future Aspirations

We aspire to be leaders in the industry for our people & culture practices, and are working hard behind the scenes to implement changes and shape a better environment for our kaimahi and their whānau. For this reason, we are striving to achieve the following:

Accredited Living Wage Employer

Rainbow Tick Organisation

Creation of an Indigenous People & Culture Framework

Implementation of the Haumaru Tāngata Framework

Rewards and Recognition System

From the passion within our people and culture team, and the trajectory of our Orchards, we are adamant these can be achieved in the coming years.