Agriculture September 05, 2024
John Deere New Zealand Technician of the Year Award winners announced
Crestmead, Queensland (5 September, 2024) — Three New Zealanders have taken out top honours at the fourth annual John Deere Technician of the Year Awards, announced at a gala dinner event in Brisbane tonight.
Marcus Vine was named New Zealand's Agriculture & Turf Service Technician of the Year, Liam Gee took out the Construction & Forestry Service Technician of the Year category, and Daniel Stoneley won the award for New Zealand Parts Technician of the Year.
John Deere Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Luke Chandler, congratulated the New Zealand winners and acknowledged the value they bring to their local communities.
"Marcus, Liam, and Daniel represent the best of the best in customer service, technical proficiency and problem solving skills, and thoroughly deserve their awards," Mr Chandler said.
"The calibre of each of this year's finalists is a testament to the value we place on providing the best possible service to our customers and communities. They came to Brisbane this week with a proven track record of supporting farmers and construction and forestry businesses to increase their productivity and get the most out of their investment in John Deere equipment.
"It's promising to see the pipeline of talented technicians who will continue to support our customers across the country.
"I would also like to acknowledge the Australian winners tonight, Bradley Skinner, Andrew Moat, Tracy Hogan, Kirsten Rush and Daniel Barnes."
More than 130 nominees from 69 dealership locations were put forward for this year's event, demonstrating the momentum the awards program has gained across Australia and New Zealand
John Deere Australia and New Zealand Director of Aftermarket and Customer Support, Steph Gersekowski, said the diversity of this year's finalists showed it's never too late to become a technician.
"Not all the finalists have traditional rural or farming backgrounds – many of them have made the switch from other careers," she said.
"John Deere is committed to providing every opportunity to learn and develop within the role, which has been clearly on show in the standard of finalists we have seen over the past two days of testing.
"One thing they all have in common is a commitment to supporting our customers and contributing to the communities in which they work and live."
John Deere New Zealand Agriculture & Turf Service Technician of the Year
Marcus Vine, Brandt, Feilding
From a person who grew up in town, to New Zealand's leading John Deere Agriculture & Turf Service Technician, Marcus Vine has developed a deep connection with the industry and customers he serves.
"Time is money for them, and they really appreciate what we do and the skills we bring in keeping them up and running," Marcus said.
"There's a lot of variety in this role, and John Deere provides awesome support in terms of in-person knowledge-sharing and online courses, so you always have the right resources.
"Even getting to this point as a finalist in the Tech Awards is a huge honour, let alone winning the title."
After school, Marcus pursued a pre-trade light automotive course and mechanical apprenticeship, before making the "best decision he's ever made" and signing up to work at a John Deere dealership in Foxton.
Eighteen years later, now based at the Brandt dealership in Feilding, on the North Island, he said new technologies like GPS and autonomous solutions meant every day still presents new learning opportunities and career growth.
John Deere New Zealand Parts Technician of the Year
Daniel Stoneley, Brandt, Masterton
Daniel Stoneley never thought much about agriculture until he began working as a Parts Technician, but has proved you can be the best in the country regardless of your background.
"I was more of a city person, but now I love the challenge of working in agriculture – the industry is always evolving and growing, and the different technologies keep things interesting," Daniel said.
For Daniel, the customers and colleagues he interacts with each day are the best part of his job as Parts Department Manager at the Brandt John Deere dealership in Masterton, in the Greater Wellington Region.
"Farming is the backbone of the community, and I find it very rewarding helping our customers get up and running," he said.
"The technology in John Deere equipment is always evolving too, such as automation, and I'm proud to work on the market-leading brand and be part of such a great support network."
John Deere New Zealand Construction & Forestry Service Technician of the Year
Liam Gee, Drummond & Etheridge, Blenheim
No two days are the same for Liam Gee working at the Drumond & Etheridge dealership in Blenheim on the South Island.
"One day I'll be in the workshop carrying out repairs, the next I'll be two hours away in the middle of a forest repairing a machine," he said.
"My job takes me to some really cool locations, and I get to work on the great product that John Deere produces."
Now mainly specialising in forestry equipment, Liam grew up around machinery and always had a keen interest in figuring out how things worked.
Liam approached the Service Manager at his local John Deere dealership about the chance to undertake work experience after he finished school. That developed into an apprenticeship, and six years later, Liam is now the leading Construction & Forestry Technician in the country.
"The Tech Awards have been great, I've met some cool people and learned new things as well," he said.
"The ultimate goal is to take out the title, so I'm stoked!"
About the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards
Established in 2021, the prestigious awards champion the important contribution John Deere technicians make to the Australian and New Zealand agriculture, construction and forestry industries, and honour the outstanding service and support highly skilled and committed techs make to the lives and businesses of John Deere's valued customers.
More than 130 technicians were nominated by their dealerships in 2024, with input from customers, and the 32 finalists travelled to the company's Australian headquarters in Brisbane this week to be put through a rigorous assessment process, testing diagnostic capabilities, technical knowledge and customer service skills.
How to become a John Deere Technician
John Deere technicians work in dealerships located across Australia and New Zealand providing back-up support and technical expertise to the agriculture, turf, construction and forestry industries. There are many career pathways and progression opportunities, and ongoing training and support in John Deere equipment. Visit the John Deere website for more information: Dealership Opportunities | John Deere NZ
FULL LIST OF 2024 JOHN DEERE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS:
Australian Agriculture & Turf Service Technician of the Year
- Bradley Skinner, AFGRI Equipment, Esperance, Western Australia
New Zealand Agriculture & Turf Service Technician of the Year
- Marcus Vine, Brandt, Feilding, North Island
Australian Parts Technician of the Year
- Kirsten Rush, Brandt, Ballarat, Victoria
New Zealand Parts Technician of the Year
- Daniel Stoneley, Brandt, Masterton, North Island
Australian Construction & Forestry Service Technician of the Year
- Andrew Moat, RDO Equipment, Derrimut, Victoria
New Zealand Construction & Forestry Service Technician of the Year
- Liam Gee, Drummond & Etheridge, Blenheim, South Island
Service Apprentice of the Year
- Daniel Barnes, RDO Equipment, Beaudesert, Queensland
Parts Apprentice of the Year
- Tracy Hogan, RDO Equipment, Emerald, Queensland
About John Deere:
Deere & Company is a global leader in the delivery of agricultural, golf & turf, construction, and forestry equipment. We help our customers push the boundaries of what's possible in ways that are more productive and sustainable to help life leap forward. Our technology-enabled products including the John Deere Autonomous 8R Tractor and See & Spray™ are just two of the ways we help meet the world's increasing need for food, shelter, and infrastructure. Deere & Company also provides financial services through John Deere Financial. For more information, visit John Deere at its worldwide website at JohnDeere.com or in New Zealand at JohnDeere.co.nz.
Media Enquiries:
Kate Scott
kate.scott@bluehillagency.com.au
0438 389 092
Tim Vetter
tim.vetter@bluehillagency.com.au
0439 681 793
Images of all New Zealand winners are available in Dropbox using this link
