At Matai we have a combined experience of over 80 years in consultancy, irrigation design and farming. Matai Consulting is your trusted rural partner of choice. Our skilled team are resourceful and approachable and ready to work alongside you and your farm.
Our skill sets are complimentary allowing us to work with you on many different areas, providing you with a complete service.
Who We Are
Meet Our Team
Paul Reese
Paul brings over 25 years farming experience, 5 years project managing with IrrigationNZ and 8 years consulting. Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and technical skills to the irrigation and farm systems sector. Equally comfortable advising in the board room, talking one on one with farmers or, delivering a training course to groups of people or writing a technical report, communication is a key skill.
“I enjoy working with people. I put a lot of store on integrity, respectful relationships, and helping people find a solution to their needs. I use my knowledge of farm systems and technical skills to give sound advice.”
Brendon Jolly
Brendon has over 25 years of irrigation and farm infrastructure design specialising in community irrigation schemes and on farm irrigation. In addition to irrigation design, he has experience with composting barns, effluent schemes, fish screens and general infrastructure. This strong technical background alongside environmental and farm planning qualifications and the ability to relate and understand issues means his skillset and knowledge is widely respected.
“The ability to design water schemes and farm infrastructure from a technical and practical perspective is my point of difference.”
Marie Marz
Marie began with Matai as an intern to complete her Geography degree from the Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg in Germany. She impressed with her initiative, communication and hard work. Having worked on farm as a dairy assistant she knows what it takes to farm and is now learning the environmental aspects of farming in Aotearoa New Zealand.
“I enjoy the contact with people and learning about different farming systems as well as environmental variety. Over the next couple of years, I am looking forward to developing my role to become an environmental consultant.”
Hazel Carr
Hazels rural background of contract milking in North Canterbury provides a good understanding of the daily aspects of farming and has meant that she connects and communicates well with farmers. This compliments the technical knowledge gained from a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (First Class Honours) and over 5 years as a farm environmental consultant and dairy effluent advisor. Hazel prides herself on providing competent, in depth, yet farmer friendly environmental advice.
“I enjoy working with farmers to help them achieve their goals, develop their business and meet regulatory requirements.”
Ian Hutcheson
Ian’s knowledge spans ecology, conservation, and irrigation design skills. His career began with a Master of Science in Conservation Biology moving into the GIS field, and into the irrigation sector designing and project managing.
“I enjoy building client relationships and working within a team to provide intuitive and innovative solutions for your farm irrigation and ecosystem vision.”
Ben Donaldson
Ben comes from a rural background, growing up on a 4000ha Central Otago Sheep and beef farm. He is a 5th generation Central Otago person and with four children, the 6th generation is assured.
Ben completed a Bachelor of Commerce and Management at Lincoln University, is certified in irrigation evaluation and farm dairy effluent design. He has over 20 years design and project management experience across all facets of the irrigation industry and has specialist experience in the horticultural and viticultural areas. Complimenting these skills is 10 years’ experience in the geomembrane industry.
“I enjoy the satisfaction of working with growers to bring a project from bare earth through to completion”
