LeaderBrand team proud to show PM around new facility

In LeaderBrand's 11ha undercover greenhouse at Makauri on Thursday (from left) are East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick, LeaderBrand general manager production Richard McPhail, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, LeaderBrand general manager farm Gordon McPhail and greenhouse manager Billy Stackhouse.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited LeaderBrand during his visit to Gisborne on Thursday and walked through its 11-hectare undercover greenhouse.

He even lent a hand harvesting a crop of spinach.

LeaderBrand’s Future Farm Facility at Makauri that he toured includes a 40 million litre water dam and 1 million litre treated water tank.

Luxon chatted to the team inside the greenhouse and then, with a little guidance from greenhouse manager Billy Stackhouse, he took the company’s new electric harvester for a spin.

“He was a natural,” Stackhouse said.

“The team really appreciated him giving them a helping hand.

“If he needs a break from running the country, he’s welcome to visit any time and jump on a tractor. The team wouldn’t hesitate to give him a job.

“We even sent him home with a bag or two of our spinach and wild rocket for dinner.”

East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon driving LeaderBrand’s new electric harvester during the PM's visit to the company on Thursday.

LeaderBrand’s Future Farm Facility was built thanks to the support from the Government’s Kānoa, Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit, when it loaned the company $15 million to help fund the ambitious construction.

LeaderBrand general manager farm Gordon McPhail said with Government support for regional economies, projects like the greenhouse were possible.

‘We would never have been able to build such an ambitious project like this without the Government’s support. They challenged us to think about what innovation or technology we could invest in if we had the funds that would be good for the region economically and help generate growth and more jobs.

“Our Future Farms Facility enables us to accelerate crop growth all year around in a more sustainable manner. Being able to mitigate weather impacts means we can find more efficient ways to continue to supply New Zealanders with healthy and affordable fresh vegetables,” McPhail said.

“We still have a lot to learn about indoor growing and maintaining crops in this new environment - however, we have no doubt that agricultural practices are going to have to adapt to the county’s increasingly variable climate, technology, and environmental demands, and that this type of facility is the future of farming.

“All the team were incredibly proud to walk the Prime Minister through the facility and showcase the growing process,” he said.

“It was great for the team to receive recognition from him for their hard work and dedication.”