Waterway restoration sees return of endangered mudfish
A critically threatened endemic freshwater fish found only in Canterbury has been discovered at a Craigmore Sustainables farm near Timaru.
Farming, horticulture, and forestry company Craigmore Sustainables has announced two key appointments in its senior leadership line-up.
Reuben Casey has been appointed Craigmore’s chief operating officer, while Con Williams will join the company as its new general manager horticulture.
Casey was previously chief executive of outdoor retailer Kathmandu. Prior to that he held positions at TaylorMade Adidas Golf and Meridian energy.
Craigmore chief executive Che Charteris says Casey being outstanding experience to the role.
“There are a lot of similarities between Kathmandu and Craigmore – a reliance on empowered teams spread around the country, the need to drive sustainability and develop and operate strong systems,” Charteris says.
He adds the company looks forward to Casey’s contributions to the company’s mission of growing the best of New Zealand.
“Over the past two years, we have reached well over NZ$1 billion of capital under management. More importantly, we have been nationally recognised for our dairy sustainability programme, built a stunning forestry estate and transformed farmland in Central Hawke’s Bay into one of New Zealand’s iconic apple orchards.
“The New Zealand investor base remains very important to Craigmore and we have exciting plans in place to raise more capital domestically over the course of the next 12 months.”
Case says he is delighted to join Craigmore.
“I am excited to contribute to Craigmore’s purpose, which is to produce food and fibre that is sought after around the world,” he says.
Meanwhile, Con Williams joins the company late next month from MyFarm, where he is currently general manager investments and prior to that, he was ANZ’s agri economist.
He says he is pleased by the opportunity to lead Craigmore’s horticultural operations and foster a strong team culture where individuals can grow their careers.
“I look forward to joining the Craigmore team, overseeing Craigmore’s apple, kiwifruit and vineyard teams, participating in the company’s further growth and bringing its current asset base into full production over the coming years,” he says.
Farmer-owned fertiliser company, Ballance Agri Nutrients is welcoming National’s plan to negotiate security agreements with key supplier countries to protect New Zealand-bound products from export restrictions and greater supply chain certainty.
Carrfields has announced the appointment of Stu Hall to the newly created role of chief operating officer, Carrfields Ltd, reflecting the continued growth of their agribusinesses and the need to ensure the company has the leadership capacity and support in place as it pursues the emerging opportunities ahead.
New Zealand's role is not to compete with Indian growers, according to NZ Apples and Pears.
The potato industry is celebrating the success of two rising stars - James Blair, the 2026 Young Grower of the Year and runner-up and innovation award winner, Amber Davy.
Twenty-eight emerging leaders from across the horticulture sector spent two days last month learning valuable skills and connecting with industry experts.
There are five entrants in this year’s Young Horticulturist of the Year, competing in a series of technical, practical, business and leadership challenges.

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