10 | 7,000 square metres of greenhouses The old equipment has been modernised and new greenhouses built, making the farm home to some of the most advanced and high-yielding greenhouses in New Zealand. Richard Loader RURAL PEOPLE » Future Farm Located in the small West Auckland community of Waimauku, Future Farm operates on three hectares of land and currently encompasses 7,000 square metres of modern greenhouses, with tomatoes and cucumbers its primary crops. The name Future Farm reflects the owners forward-looking vision of modern, sustainable, and innovative horticultural practices. “I deeply believe that agriculture holds great potential for the future, where success will be determined by advancements in technology and excellence in management,” says Managing Director Frank Chen. While Future Farm Group Ltd was officially established in 2019 by Frank and his business partner, Mr. Liu, the farm’s roots, go back more than 40 years when it was founded and operated by Tony Ivicevich, former chairman of the industry body, TomatoesNZ, and the creator of the premium tomato brand Beekist. Before establishing Future Farm, Frank studied finance at university and worked in banking for two years. During that time, he and his business partner observed that vegetable prices in Auckland were exceptionally high. “We believed we could make a meaningful contribution to the local market and help bring about change. It was then that I met Tony, who was preparing for retirement. With his guidance and training, I registered Future Farm and took over his business. Since then, we have expanded on the existing farm located in Waimauku, completing significant system upgrades and infrastructure development.” Under Frank’s leadership, the old equipment has been modernised and new greenhouses built, making the farm home to some of the most advanced and high-yielding greenhouses in New Zealand. “Our greenhouses are equipped with New Zealand’s most advanced environmental control and irrigation systems. The roof vents automatically open and close based on temperature, humidity, and rainfall, ensuring optimal conditions for plant growth. Irrigation is managed through a drip system that operates without manual intervention, maximizing water efficiency and reducing labour requirements. My role as Managing Director involves overseeing strategic expansion, staff recruitment, and external stakeholder communications. Additional responsibilities include ensuring compliance with horticultural standards, driving operational efficiency, and managing financial performance.” During Future Farm’s peak, the farm operated 12,000 square metres of greenhouses and employed 15 staff members. However, due to a land acquisition, operations were reduced by closing a farm previously operated in South Auckland. Future Farm’s produce is primarily distributed through Market Gardeners Limited (MG Marketing) and reaches retailers like Farro, Fruit World, Pak’n Save, and Countdown. While currently focused on the domestic market, Future Farm is exploring potential opportunities for export, particularly in premium markets within Asia and Australia. “Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our expansion plans and market development initiatives were forced to be put on hold. Despite these challenges, we remain committed to pursuing growth opportunities as conditions improve.” Frank says Future Farm’s success lies in its dedication to quality, sustainability, and innovation. “The expertise and passion of our team are fundamental to our operations. By staying at the forefront of horticultural advancements, maintaining strong industry relationships, and focusing on continuous improvement, we have built a reputation for excellence.” T U E S DAY 1 0 T H J U N E 2 0 2 5 , 1 0 A M
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