QnA with Neko Mcdonald - Taranaki Repost Rep
Where are you from Neko give us your background?
Born and raised in the Naki!
Grew up on a dry stock farm, began leasing land in my last years of school to increase my dairy numbers. Left school and worked on a dairy farm before working for Carrfields Livestock. Then moved to the far far north to work on a dairy farm with my partner Odyssey before moving back down to Hurleyville in South Taranaki to start our first dairy farm lease. I’m 20 and living my dream.
What drew you to being part of Repost?
I became interested in Repost when trying to find a low-cost post to use on the farm in Kaitaia. On installing them, I thought was a great resource and after helping some older ag friends with admin to get them to their farm too, I realised I wanted to share this with my community. Many people still don’t know about Repost’s resources - this side hustle kind of took of organically. I undertake all the admin and delivery now for the ag people of Taranaki and add a margin on. Win-win for everyone really.
What's your favourite part of the role?
Both myself and Matthew (who helps with deliveries) really enjoy seeing the smiles on farmers faces when we deliver them around Taranaki and yarn about the projects they are going to use them for. It’s rewarding as to know you are doing something for your community and good to get off farm after the morning dairy milk.
What feedback do you and Mike get from farmers?
Just stoked a resource like this exists, and the price point is what sells them. But they are genuinely glad to see they're helping keep it out of landfill also…Wins all round.
What would you say to farmers that are on the fence about Repost posts worried about them being recycled instead of brand new?
Just because they are second hand doesn’t mean that the quality is any less. I’ve only been a rep for two months now and sold four unit loads! Haven’t had one complaint from the farmers, and in my mind, that says it all!
At the end of the day the Repost team have a quality grading process and it shows. I first used them on my farm as saw potential to share the product with farmers in the region who hadn’t heard of them. I’m proud to be helping my community get a quality low-cost product that simple. So if your from the Naki contact me neko@repost.co.nz!
What do you do when you are not at work?
When I’m not working for Repost me and my girlfriend Odyssey milk 140 odd pedigree Ayrshire cows, we also love showing our cows at local shows, aswell as on-farm competitions.
