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.
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
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