Kiri Matthews – More than just picking fruit

Kiri’s passion for horticulture started through the prompting from her father who suggested that horticulture was a good career pathway to be involved in.  At the same time, while at school, Kiri began building on that interest through a series of jobs within the primary sector, wait staffing at a large olive orchard, Bracu, working for Punchbowl and Leaderbrand.  All of these roles helped Kiri to realise that horticulture is more than just picking fruit.

When Kiri was 15 she started a new part time role after school on Wednesdays and on Saturday mornings at PGG Wrightson.  Kiri says that watching and talking to the customers and the field representatives that came into her workspace inspired her to want to be a field representative too. Kiri decided that Horticulture Science was the way she wanted to head and on studying the two options Lincoln or Massey, Kiri chose to go to Massey as she liked the applied horticulture which Massey offered.  Kiri went to an open day with her father and she liked the ability to study in actual orchards with kiwifruit, pip and stone fruit, glasshouses and farms.  She says that the applied side of horticulture is strong. 

‘The first year of study is very generalised’, says Kiri.  She felt that this was a good way of moving into study straight from school as it felt familiar and not too overwhelming.  Moving into the second and third year allowed her to be able to study towards the direction she was interested in as a field representative.

Due to lockdown and Covid, Kiri was forced to have to adapt to online study.  However, she has found that online learning was very helpful for her as a learner.  She found it flexible.  Kiri says that for someone who does not like to sit still for a long time, having a flexible study option meant that she could do the study at her own pace.  Being online allowed Kiri to do some paid work over this time.  She believes that the jobs were beneficial for her employment after her degree.

Kiri enjoyed going to Massey for laboratories and she also says that she went on several field trips which were helpful to strengthen her understanding of crop management.  These trips were great connecting times with her fellow undergraduates.  Kiri also says that the time at Massey when they did trials has been very useful for her current role and she uses the learning frequently.  

Not only did she gain connections from her time at Massey with other undergraduates, but since she has been in the work force, Kiri has noticed that being an alumni has also helped her develop relationships easily with other past graduates.  Being a field representative relies heavily on your ability to build strong relationships, as the role is based on a high-trust model.

Being in the industry now for a few years, Kiri has said that she still draws on learning from Massey.  The Primary Industries learning tools have been very helpful.  The budgeting, cash flow and forecasting are all very useful.  She says that these skills have been beneficial in her conversations with growers.  Especially when she can give them cost comparisons to help with decision making on farm.  This is especially important for them when spending is tight. It helps them make informed decisions. 

Kiri is keen to share her passion about horticulture with students so that they can see that horticulture is so much bigger than just picking fruit.