A South Island farm boy schooled in the big city, Matt came back to the lure of the country by joining Altum in 2008.
‘I left St Bede’s College in Christchurch and did some fencing on the East Coast to raise funds to study at Canterbury University. I’ve had a few careers over the years from rugby coach and teacher to working in the rugby industry, and now back to agriculture.’
‘Outside work I keep a hand in occasionally with rugby and I enjoy my young family and lifestyle block outside of Hamilton.’
Mark Ter-Morshuizen joined Altum in April 2011, bringing with him experience of both New Zealand and South African farming industries.
Having completed a Diploma in Agriculture, Mark managed both dairy farms and large sugar cane estates in his home country, but moved with his family to New Zealand in 2005. In the following six years he worked in a variety of rural industries, including a dairy farm, a dairy genetics company, in rural banking and in animal feeds.
Cambridge-based Mark spends his spare time on a range of family duties involving his kids, gardening and DIY. And yes, he does know which rugby team to support!
Originally from Wales, Siwan married a Kiwi farmer and they now run their own sheep and beef farm in the King Country.
'I was raised on a sheep and beef farm near Aberystwyth and came to New Zealand to work on a similar farm on the west coast of the North Island. I met my husband there, and we now have two small boys to look after as well.'
She gets a lot of satisfaction out of getting to know and support so many farmers. Horse riding takes up any spare time.
Fred hails from a Rangitikei farming family. After seven years at boarding school he spent five years working on sheep, beef and cropping farms around Marton.
'In the 1960s I started a sheep-shearing run in the UK, eventually handing it on to other Kiwis.'
He joined Altum in 1993, covering from Taupo to Coromandel to East Cape. 'Now my wings are clipped to mainly the Central Plateau.'
He farmed in Upper Atiamuri until taking on a 6.5ha lifestyle block north of Taupo, where he supports horse trialling and enjoys fly fishing.
After high school David worked on farms to fund an agricultural economics degree at Massey University. A spell of post-graduate OE took in Europe and the Middle East before he returned to work on the commissioning of the Litchfield Cheese Factory, and later to manage a 400-cow dairy farm near Gordonton.
'I joined Altum over 10 years ago and love helping our farmers increase their profitability and environmental protection.'
He likes to run, cycle, swim and kayak and devotes time to his family, the Waihi school board and the Bible in Schools programme.
Born and bred in Whitford in south Auckland on a sheep and beef farm, Brett was educated at Kings College before going on to Lincoln College to round out his learning.
Brett has made his home in the Bay of Plenty for over 20 years, and has been with Altum for more than four years selling in the Bay of Plenty.
‘Through Massey University I have passed the Nutrient Management and Advanced Nutrient Management courses. I have a partner and two sons, and my favourite cat is called Meow.’
Originally from India, Manjit went to primary school in Hamilton, going on to graduate with a Masters degree from University of Waikato.
His early career was in the cosmetics industry in Auckland, after which he bought a 280-cow dairy farm near Tahuna and moved on farm with his wife and two children.
'I joined Altum in February 2009 and have really enjoyed getting to meet so many farmers and doing the best we can for them. I like to read non-fiction books, and compensate with road running to try to keep fit.'
