Our farmers and growers are navigating their way through a lot of change, and we want to make sure they have access to the best people to tackle these challenges.
Our primary industries need fresh new talent to help them thrive, so we are committed to taking on new graduates, or those in their early stages of their career, every 12 months.
“From day one at Perrin Ag, I have been welcomed into a supportive and encouraging team environment. I have already had the opportunity to be involved across multiple areas of the business, which has been a great introduction to the primary sector.
Working alongside experienced consultants and contributing to a wide range of projects has helped me to build confidence and develop practical skills early on. I am excited to continue learning and growing in an industry I care deeply about.”
“The Empower programme has been the perfect platform for my career in the primary sector.
The wealth of knowledge and variety of work within the team at Perrin Ag has meant that I’ve been exposed to a wide range of learning opportunities. Being able to add value to farm businesses early on has been particularly rewarding so far.”
“Even in my first eight weeks at Perrin Ag I was exposed to the full range of opportunities and challenges being faced by farmers and the passion and knowledge of the firm’s consultants to help navigate them.
I’ve already been exposed to a wide range of scenarios, systems and projects in a supportive environment. I’m excited to continue learning and contributing to this ever-changing and adapting industry.”
“The support from the Perrin Ag team has been outstanding coming in as a new consultant in a company with such a diverse portfolio.
The ability to continually learn, explore areas of interest and be recognised for achievement within such an innovative business makes Perrin Ag an exciting company to be a part of.”
“I enjoyed the top-quality learning at Perrin Ag and being supported by a team who were super motivated and energised about what they do.
I had great opportunities to develop my skillset and manage my own work.
The variety of projects meant I got to work with
individual farmers and entities, network at discussion groups, but also step up and be involved in larger industry projects – that’s pretty unique.”
“It was great spending a couple days with each member of the team right
at the start to understand the wide variety of work we provide to clients
along with how these types of work are delivered.
I enjoyed getting ‘thrown in the deep end’ working with farm businesses to
learn first-hand, yet having plenty of support wherever needed to ensure I
was successful.”
Lee came to agribusiness consultancy via the unlikely pathway of a suburban Wellington upbringing, an Honours degree in plant science and a six-year career in the financial markets. In his role as the firm’s MD, Lee doesn’t get out on-farm as much as he used to but makes the most of it when he does. While having swapped the paddock for the boardroom, Lee continues to provide advice in the areas of farm business strategy, farm system innovation, corporate governance, investment analysis and economic research.
Outside of Perrin Ag, Lee loves to spend his time coaching rugby, watching his three kids play sport and gardening with his wife Haidee.
“I love the challenge of empowering people in our primary sectors and the excitement of seeing clients achieving their aspirations. If we can encourage farmers to engage with their consumers, take a more active involvement in their supply chains and view their businesses through a wider lens, then I think our industries have a great future.”
Joel’s interest in agriculture began with his upbringing on a 1,000-hectare block of Kereru Station backing onto the Ruahine Ranges. Joel went on to earn a Bachelor of Ag Science at Massey University, laying the foundation for a career in the primary sector. On the back of a farming career and with over 12 years of professional experience, Joel joined Perrin Ag in 2024.
Joel’s ability to think outside of the box and empower others to learn and grow, means that he is well equipped to manage farm supervision and strategic planning. He has previously been involved with enhancing and supporting Māori led organisations through major development farm supervision projects.
Outside of the workplace, Joel is a family man at heart and enjoys activities like mountain biking, tramping, and hunting. Living in a modest ‘tiny house’ and running a small farm operation, Joel is passionate about growing great food and helping people understand where their food comes from – all while keeping his boots dirty.
“I help our clients step out of their daily realm and look at things through a broader lens. I am acutely aware of the mental health challenges facing our industry and the need to maintain the sustainability of our land and our people. We want farm practices that ensure long-term success without compromising farmers’ well-being.”
Chaylee’s roots are in the Bay of Plenty, where she grew up on a lifestyle block, sparking her lifelong connection to the region. Now based in Rotorua, she plays a crucial role in supporting our Managing Director, Lee Matheson, by helping him facilitate the seamless integration of people and projects both behind and beyond the farm gate.
With over a decade of experience as an Executive Assistant and Office Manager, Chaylee is a highly organised and competent professional. She excels in relationship building, time management, and problem-solving. Her diverse career spans several sectors, including education, government, and iwi, with seven years of experience working in Parliament for NZ First.
Outside of work, Chaylee leads an active lifestyle. She enjoys spending time outdoors, going for walks, working out at the gym, and cherishing moments with her young daughter.
“I was drawn to Perrin Ag because of the passionate and dedicated team. Working with such an enthusiastic group is both inspiring and motivating.”
Mike brings a wealth of agri-tech and dairy systems expertise to Perrin Ag. After graduating with a Bachelor of AgriCommerce from Massey, he started his career with DairyNZ as a consulting officer where he ran discussion groups and managed farm supervision.
He left DairyNZ to travel the world but within a few months Covid hit, the borders closed, and Mike and his wife Nikita returned home. Back in New Zealand, he took up a role managing DairyNZ’s monitor farms on the Hauraki Plains before joining Halter.
After finishing his OE, he returned home to live in Papamoa and joined the Perrin Ag team in February 2024.
“I’m not someone who likes to sit still and I like to be continually learning. I saw an opportunity with Perrin Ag. As a business their ethos is about continuous improvement and learning. There are always new and better ways of doing things and we need to be at the forefront of that for our clients.”
Abbey joined Perrin Ag in February 2023 as part of the firm’s graduate recruitment programme, Empower.
Abbey grew up surrounded by dairy farms in a close-knit community in South Waikato. She saw first-hand how local farmers supported her community, which is what inspired her to study at Lincoln University.
Growing up in a rural community Abbey has always been impressed by how much local farmers contribute to the community. She wanted to help give back to the industry and play a part in helping our primary sector continue to produce quality food in a sustainable way.
In 2022, Abbey spent the summer as an intern on one of New Zealand’s first commercial deer milking operations. Her Honours project was researching deer milk alongside other more traditional milking operations and assessing the deer milking industry’s future production possibilities.
Abbey is currently on sabbatical leave until the end of 2025.
“Growing up I didn’t live on a farm, but I always knew I wanted to work in the farming sector. I wanted a role where there was a balance between working on and off farm and where I could support farmers to get the best out of their businesses.”
Sam grew up on a dairy farm in the Far North. After graduating from the University of Otago in 2005 with an Honours degree in molecular biotechnology, he spent several years working in medical research in New Zealand and Scotland. Upon returning to New Zealand in 2012, he spent four seasons dairy farming in Northland before purchasing a 56 ha block in Taupо̄, where he was first exposed to farming under a nitrogen cap. Sam joined Perrin Ag in 2023 and brings his strong analytical skills that are grounded by a pragmatic approach to problem solving. Outside of farming and consultancy, you’ll likely find him fly fishing, hunting or snowboarding.
“A lot of farmers feel overwhelmed in the face of a rapidly changing regulatory landscape. I strive to help farmers understand what these environmental regulations mean for their business, and offer practical solutions that allow them to keep doing what they do best, whilst remaining compliant”.
Danni grew up on a life style block in Atiamuri and spent five seasons as a relief milker in the area. During this time, her full time roles were in various fields including the rental car, health care and marine industries. Danni has had a focus on administrative and accounting duties, but is also proficient in looking after customers especially well, social media and website operation, running a rental car fleet and the associated tasks like training, rosters, H&S and organising repairs! Danni joined Perrin Ag in May 2021, to be part of a business in an industry she is passionate about.
During her spare time Danni can be found reading a book with her cats or out enjoying the walks in Rotorua’s Redwoods.
“What motivates me each day is knowing that I will be challenged with a range of problem solving tasks. I love to see all the figures adding up and knowing that my role makes a difference to the team.”
Coming from a drystock and dairy farming background, Duncan has always been passionate about growing primary sector businesses. Whether it’s pastoral farming, forestry, horticulture or investments outside the farm gate, sustainably optimising business performance is Duncan’s passion. After graduating from Massey University with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Agribusiness, Duncan’s first opportunity to optimise a farm business was by undertaking a dairy conversion. Duncan project managed the conversion and continued to run the dairy farm for a further three years.
Since joining Perrin Ag in 2011 Duncan works with a wide range of clients including those ‘outside the farm gate’. With his strong background in investment analysis, business strategy and project management, Duncan is increasingly working with clients to analyse and integrate horticulture and forestry investments into their farm businesses.
“I enjoy helping clients navigate through the complexities of today’s operational, financial and environmental challenges. Seeing clients achieve their goals is very rewarding”
Lee came to agribusiness consultancy via the unlikely pathway of a suburban Wellington upbringing, an Honours degree in plant science and a six-year career in the financial markets. In his role as the firm’s MD, Lee doesn’t get out on-farms as much as he used to but makes the most of it when he does. While having swapped the paddock for the boardroom, Lee continues to provide advice in the areas of farm business strategy, farm system innovation, corporate governance, investment analysis and economic research.
Outside of Perrin Ag, Lee loves to spend his time coaching rugby, watching his three kids play sport and gardening with his wife Haidee.
“I love the challenge of empowering people in our primary sectors and the excitement of seeing clients achieving their aspirations. If we can encourage farmers to engage with their consumers, take a more active involvement in their supply chains and view their businesses through a wider lens, then I think our industries have a great future.”