84 | nzdairy DAIRY SERVICES » John Austin Ltd John Deere is the favoured brand when it comes to forage harvesters. • to page 90 adding with a smile: “There’s a lot of things you don’t get away with now.” He would move on to work for his second mentor and contractor, Peter Hoar, when he was aged 16. He bought Peter’s business when he was 21. “Doug (Short) taught me about respect around machinery and stock, and about learning to work hard,” John said. “Peter was a very good contractor and he had a very high standards when it came to both his behaviour and his business. “Those times and experiences were amazing for me because I lost my Dad when I was very young. So, I was very privileged to be raised in a close-knit rural community and to have had exposure to such incredible role models on working farms and in successful businesses.” John started his contracting business with a tractor, a combine, a drill, a planter and a few implements (with one seasonal staffer at harvest or planting time). Jackie would spend a lot of their early “dates” riding along during harvest or planting. It makes including their children in the business today a special progression. Their oldest son, Michael, 26, now works alongside John. Their second son, Daniel, 24, is an accountant in Hamilton, and is on the business’ board. Their daughter, Hannah, 21, has just completed a degree in communication and she helps with advertising. All three were homeschooled by Jackie. Global connections vital There is no doubt that the financial commitment to the equipment used by big contractors is today serious business. John made the most of his international contacts and experience in the early days, and his connections off-shore continue to keep him at the forefront of technology. He favours John Deere and Fendt machinery, and • from page 86 82c 0 Hose & Fittings 24/7 BREAKDOWN SERVICE CALL 0800 82 HOSE Pukekohe 09 238 4940 | Hamilton 07 849 7424 | Te Awamutu Region - Area Hose Technician Stephen Towers: 027 244 1048 82choseandfittings.co.nz SERVICING GREATER WAIKATO, FRANKLIN, COUNTIES & AUCKLAND
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=