| 101 nzdairy RURAL SERVICES » Pouakai Services Land-care and property maintenance solutions Sue Russell David Wilson owns and operates Pouakai Services, a locally owned land-care business based near Lepperton, Taranaki, providing practical weed and property maintenance solutions across the region. Before establishing the company, David worked in the drilling fluids engineering sector, a career that often involved extended periods away from home. When children arrived, he decided it was time to build something closer to home while still working outdoors and solving practical problems. “We had a lifestyle block and I’d grown up around dry stock farms, so managing weeds, scrub and general land maintenance was something I was already familiar with,” David says. “With my tractor and spray unit I started helping people around the district on properties of all shapes and sizes, and the work just naturally grew from there.” Once he recognised the demand for reliable land maintenance services for lifestyle blocks, grazing land, dairy support properties and rural residential sections, David says he never looked back. Pouakai Services now offers paddock and pasture weed management, rush, blackberry and scrub control, fenceline and boundary spraying, along with weed identification and tailored treatment plans. Using tractor-mounted spray equipment, David is able to efficiently cover everything from open paddocks through to steep or difficult terrain requiring targeted treatment. “I bring a practical, no-nonsense, problem-solving approach to the services I offer customers, and I get a real kick out of seeing properties transformed into something that can be maintained properly and really look great.” For many customers, David says it’s not just about weed control. “A lot of people want to protect native plantings, improve the usability of their land and simply make their properties easier to manage and maintain long-term.” Three-monthly maintenance plans are proving increasingly popular with customers. These programmes usually begin with a full initial spray and tidy-up, targeting invasive species and overgrowth, followed by ongoing maintenance to control stubborn weeds and prevent regrowth. Holding certification for agricultural chemical handling, David has access to a wide range of specialised products designed to tackle even the most persistent pest plants. Clear communication and reliability are also a major focus for the business. “Customers appreciate straightforward advice, realistic expectations and knowing the job will be done properly. That’s something I take a lot of pride in.” While David currently manages the majority of the work himself, he has an experienced operator available to assist during busier periods. Once he recognised the demand for reliable land maintenance services for lifestyle blocks, grazing land, dairy support properties and rural residential sections, David says he never looked back. “I’d already been doing this type of work for years before formally launching Pouakai Services in 2024. When I started, my goal was to get to a point where I consistently had a month’s work booked ahead before considering taking on staff.” “This time of year can be a little quieter, so I’m being cautious about when I make that next step, but the business has grown really positively.” Hedge and boundary maintenance is another area David sees strong demand for, and a service he plans to expand into alongside Pouakai Services’ existing land management capabilities. “It’s about being adaptive to what the market needs. I’ve been really pleased with how the business has established itself so far.” Another future plan is to launch an online retail store offering lifestyle block starter kits, including spraying equipment, products and practical advice for weed management and property maintenance. “I think there’s definitely demand for that type of Proudly supporting Pouakai Services Phone: 06 759 4399 | www.mitre10.co.nz NEW PLYMOUTH 5 Vickers Road, Waiwakaiho Specialist importer & manufacturer selling direct to you at factory prices. (07) 544 5673 sprayequip.co.nz sales@sprayequip.co.nz Supporting Pouakai Services support, especially for people new to owning rural land it would complement the services I already offer very well.” Proudly family-owned and operated, David says the focus remains on building a trusted local business that delivers reliable results and practical advice for landowners wanting to get the best from their properties. Customers can learn more about Pouakai Services via the company’s website and social media channels, including Facebook and Instagram. Visit Pouakai Services
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