About Us

Doug has been at the heart of Riverlock since the early 1980s. As a highly experienced business professional and board director, he has led the expansion of the horticultural part of the family business into a kiwifruit operation spanning over 100 hectares across Te Puke, Ōpōtiki, Gisborne -  including a joint venture with local Māori landowners in Te Kaha. With more than 40 years in agri-business, Doug’s role is to oversee Riverlock’s orchard management and post-harvest services business, to which he brings deep experience in growing, supply chain management, and industry leadership.

What do you enjoy most about your work at Riverlock?
The connection to the land, the people, and the opportunity to build something that reflects the values and resilience of our grower community.
    
What do you think makes Riverlock different?
We’re local, grower-led, and deeply committed to doing right by the people we work with. Not just because it’s good business, but because it’s who we are.

If you could describe Riverlock in three words, what would they be?
Integrity, Innovation, Whānau

Blair Simm joined Riverlock in July 2022 and now leads the Group’s business operations, overseeing finance, HR, health & safety, compliance, reporting, and more… right down to keeping the lunchroom fridge stocked. With a background spanning commercial banking, economic development, and airport management, Blair brings a wealth of experience and a sharp commercial focus. Now permanently based in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, he enjoys the variety and pace that comes with no two days being the same as he supports the diverse operations of the Riverlock group.

What do you enjoy most about your work at Riverlock?
After 15 years in the corporate world, the thing I enjoy most about working at Riverlock is that it’s a family-owned business where the team all know each other one-on-one.
    
What do you think makes Riverlock different?
The Riverlock Group is I think quite unique – large enough to have scale, impact and ability take on the big jobs, small enough to be agile, responsive, and personal. The Goldilocks of companies, just right.

If you could describe Riverlock in three words, what would they be?
Rock and Roll

Since joining Riverlock in 2014, Mel has progressed her way up the career ladder to play a key role in ensuring daily operations run smoothly across the packhouse. As Operations Manager, Mel starts each day aligning with team leads on production targets, then stays hands-on across workflow, logistics, quality control, and grower coordination. Her focus is on balancing people, process, and product to ensure efficiency, safety, and quality, while keeping the team motivated and supported in a fast-paced environment.

What do you enjoy most about your work at Riverlock?
What I enjoy most is the people and the pace. At Riverlock, we’ve built a culture of teamwork and trust, where everyone plays a part in making the season a success. I take a lot of pride in helping the team perform at their best and seeing everything come together. There’s a real sense of accomplishment in meeting tough deadlines, solving challenges on the fly, and knowing the work we do helps deliver top-quality kiwifruit to the market. Every day brings something new, and that’s what keeps it exciting. 
    
What do you think makes Riverlock different?
Riverlock stands out because we’re constantly looking ahead. We’re always exploring new technology, refining our systems, and challenging ourselves to improve how we operate. Whether it’s automating key parts of the packhouse or finding smarter ways to support our growers and team, we don’t settle for “good enough.” That drive to do things better, paired with a strong team culture and genuine care for quality, is what makes Riverlock different.

If you could describe Riverlock in three words, what would they be?
We’re always looking for smarter ways to work, we thrive on strong teamwork, and we deliver consistent results our growers can count on.

BK Sekhon has been Riverlock’s Orchard Manager since June 2022. With a hands-on approach and a focus on efficiency, BK starts each day with a strong coffee as he plans and coordinates orchard operations with staff and contractors. From task setting to monitoring progress and ensuring compliance with company policies, he plays a key role in keeping orchard activities running smoothly and to a high standard.

What do you enjoy most about your work at Riverlock?
The feeling of satisfaction I get from being a part of the management team.
    
What do you think makes Riverlock different?
Riverlock are superior in quality, offering agile, reliable and knowledgeable service and support to its staff and clients. 

If you could describe Riverlock in three words, what would they be?
Growers come first, Quality, Growth

Praveen joined Riverlock Packhouse Ltd in November 2022 and has since completed three kiwifruit seasons with the team. Originally from India, he holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Horticulture, as well as a PhD in Food Science and Technology from Massey University, Palmerston North. His doctoral research, funded by Zespri, focused on identifying post harvest technologies that reduce fruit losses in tropical environments and improving New Zealand’s kiwifruit supply chain in offshore markets. At Riverlock, Praveen leads Technical Grower Services, including pest and fruit maturity monitoring, lab operations, and post harvest research. His role is key to ensuring accurate, timely data and quality outcomes for growers throughout the season.

What do you enjoy most about your work at Riverlock?
I enjoy the multifaceted role that enables me to work closely with the personnel involved in the kiwifruit supply chain. 
    
What do you think makes Riverlock different?
Riverlock has a close-knit team with family culture and the management is down to earth, supports progressive ideas and prioritises each staff’s well-being.  

If you could describe Riverlock in three words, what would they be?
Simple, Dedicated, Progressive.

Warren is a highly experienced industry professional with a robust background in global operations and commercial management. In the course of his career, Warren has held senior positions overseeing post-harvest and logistics supply chain activities for Kiwifruit cultivated in both New Zealand and Europe.

Drawing upon a wealth of operational knowledge, Warren plays a key support role at Riverlock guiding pre-season and harvest planning, harvest execution and measuring operational performance. Warren also contributes valuable insights into Riverlock’s industry relations, grower engagement strategies, and reporting processes.

Warren is an integral part of Riverlock Growers Supply Entity Limited (RGSEL), the Riverlock entity that contracts with Zespri for the supply of fruit and related services.

What do you enjoy most about your work at Riverlock?
At Riverlock I get to collaborate, share experience, and exchange ideas with a skilled team committed to delivering the best outcomes for their growers. What I like is that it’s a team that believes grower success is the foundation of both team and company success. I enjoy being part of the exciting, fast-paced environment during the harvest and storage phases of the season. We continually refine fruit management processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of fruit to Zespri which supports achieving top OGRs for Riverlock growers. 
    
What do you think makes Riverlock different?
Although one of the smaller orchard and post-harvest businesses in the New Zealand kiwifruit industry, Riverlock consistently delivers excellent results in orchard production and post-harvest fruit management for its growers. A smaller grower base offers a distinct advantage in that across the business members of the team are in part involved in the entire kiwifruit season for each grower, from growing through to exporting. The team knows the fruit intimately and genuinely cares for it. Riverlock’s willingness and agility to invest in post-harvest infrastructure, embracing new technologies with support a skilled team, enables the company to achieve results beyond what would typically be expected from a smaller post-harvest operator.

If you could describe Riverlock in three words, what would they be?
Where kiwifruit matters.

Murdoch has been with Riverlock since 2008, starting out as a casual label bank operator before quickly progressing through a variety of roles, including forklift driver, Coolstore Manager, and Packhouse and Coolstore Manager. Now working as Riverlock’s Asset Manager, Murdoch brings deep operational knowledge and experience to the role, overseeing the maintenance, performance, and long-term planning of Riverlock’s important assets.

What do you enjoy most about your work at Riverlock?
The great team we have in key roles and the fact there is always something new on the horizon. The team banter, and variety of all year-round work.
    
What do you think makes Riverlock different?
The attitude of the core team (they just get in and get the job done).

If you could describe Riverlock in three words, what would they be?
Passionate, Reliable, Teamwork.

Stuart joined Riverlock as Board Chair in 2023, bringing more than 20 years’ experience in Chief Executive and governance roles across the Primary Sector, including horticulture and proteins. Stuart’s extensive Industry experience and strategic insights have been invaluable as Riverlock enters its next phase of planned investment and expansion.

“I enjoy working with family businesses at scale. The family culture shows up in the concern for the welfare of their people, personal connection with clients, a deeply intuitive knowledge, passion, resilience and expertise coming from decades of hands-on experience, and a longer-term perspective. Riverlock is in a great place; integrated from paddock to shipside, a history of excellent performance, a great team of committed staff and clients, sound financials and controls, consistent investment in technology, and a firm focus on the future. I’m thrilled to be able to support the business and family as they plan and execute their strategy”.

Warwick is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors with extensive governance experience spanning the primary sector, property and infrastructure, renewable energy, emerging technologies, logistics and supply chain, functional food, tourism, and hospitality.

He currently chairs Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation and Hop Revolution, and serves on the boards of Centreport Ltd, Tainui Group Holdings, Venture Taranaki, and Beef+Lamb NZ. His governance career includes previous roles as Chair of Ngamotu Hotels Ltd, and Director positions with Muka Tangata Workforce Development Council, Ngāi Tahu Farming, Ngāi Tahu Seafood, Port Nicholson Fisheries, Hamilton Riverview Hotels Ltd, as well as membership of Fonterra’s Co-operative Relations Committee.

A qualified quantity surveyor, Warwick holds an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Wollongong, a BCA in Accounting and Commercial Law from Victoria University, and is completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Agribusiness at Massey University. He spent over a decade living and working in the Middle East.

Warwick is of Ngāi Tahu – Ngāti Wheke, and Ngāti Hikairo – Waipapa descent.

“I was drawn to wanting to be a part of the Riverlock story, due to its long-term intergenerational philosophy, founded on a genuine desire by the family owners to keep building a sustainable, profitable business while operating appropriately on and with the whenua.”
    

Doug has been at the heart of Riverlock since the early 1980s, helping lead the family business into a significant kiwifruit operation spanning over 100 hectares, including a joint venture with local Māori landowners in Te Kaha. With over 40 years in agri-business, he brings extensive experience in horticulture, dairy, post-harvest, and industry governance including board and industry representative roles. 

Doug has served on the board of Kaiaponi Farms since 2005 and is a strong voice for growers across the industry. A Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme graduate, he was an elected NZKGI representative from 2004–2020, including terms as Vice Chair and Chair representing growers where he helped guide the industry through both challenges (PSA) and opportunity (the emergence of SunGold and industry expansion). During his time with NZKGI, Doug visited the offshore markets frequently and developed a deep understanding of the end-to-end supply chain.

A member of the Horticulture NZ Board since 2023, Doug is acutely aware of the significant challenges New Zealand Growers across the horticulture industry have faced in recent times. He remains a strong advocate for grower interests to be represented as the industry looks to build a sustainable environment for the future to operate within and thrive.

“Riverlock’s strength lies in its grower-driven foundation and hands-on experience. The opportunity ahead is to scale smartly through innovation, continued investment, and strong grower partnerships.”
    

Tracy joined Riverlock Group in August 2023, bringing an extensive background in the NZ primary industry sector. With demonstrated expertise in strategy development, constructing vertically integrated supply chains, and facilitating value delivery across multiple businesses, Tracy’s strong foundation in finance is complemented by substantial commercial management and global supply chain experience.Encompassing two decades of senior management and executive leadership experience within supply chain and finance, Tracy’s current and previous positions are roles at Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Comvita, Zespri, Johnson & Johnson UK, MRI Moores Rowland, and KPMG.

Tracy is a Chartered Accountant (CAANZ and ICAEW(FCA)) and holds a Bachelor of Business Studies. She has completed executive management programmes at INSEAD (International Executive Development) and formal governance training through the NZ Institute of Directors.

Having a deep commitment to the primary industry sector, Tracy is dedicated to supporting businesses in achieving their full potential. Her pragmatic and empathetic approach is to  foster close collaboration to identify opportunities, address challenges, advance both short- and long-term business objectives, and maximise shareholder value.

"Riverlock is well positioned to embark on its next phase of growth. The organisation has a defined strategic vision and a foundation consisting of management capability, industry knowledge, experience, with a commitment to investment in technology and innovation. The organisation’s approach remains grounded yet determined. It is a privilege to support the Riverlock team as they write their next chapter”.

Zac has dedicated 44 years to the dairy industry, starting out milking cows before and after school. Progressing from a farm assistant role to leadership, Zac has served in senior management positions for the past 24 years. Zac’s responsibilities have expanded from managing a single farm to his current role as Dairy Operations manager overseeing a large-scale dairy platform including a dairy herd of 3000.

Zac’s governance journey started with a 15-year tenure on the St Joseph’s School Board of Trustees, where he held the position of Chair for the final four years. He also served as a supplier representative for Fonterra in its formative years, advocating for the interests of suppliers.

“I’m passionate about working on the land and using technology to achieve better outcomes for both animals and people. My focus is on helping individuals and livestock realise their potential through innovative and effective farming practices.”