Apples have been grown commercially in New Zealand for over 100 years. New Zealand’s natural environment makes a perfect place for growing apples – cool winters, warm spring, good sunshine hours natural rainfall with a relatively dry growing season.

The Mr Apple story started back in 1980s under the government sanctioned single selling system (the New Zealand Apple and Pear board).  The apple growing business has always been very important to New Zealand as our land, air and water are ideal for growing the perfect apples.

In 2001, following deregulation (the government gave up control of apple exporting and at that time), the two largest apple growers merged to form Mr Apple.

Mr Apple is now proud to be part of Scales Corporation. Scales Corporation Limited has its origins dating back to 1897 when it challenged the large British conference shipping. Today, after more than 120 years of operating in the New Zealand corporate scene, it has established itself as a market leader in agribusiness. To find out more about Scales Corp and our sister companies click here...

From small beginnings, we now export 25% of the NZ apple crop around the world.

From the start, we’ve only ever done apples – it’s what we’re passionate about.  It sounds crazy – but we do love apples – and we may be a little obsessed.  We always believe we can do better – our 5 point promise shows the commitment we have to growing safe, crunchy and delicious apples.

Our Team

Our 2,000+ strong team works together as one team - that’s why we keep growing perfect apples and delivering the perfect crunch around New Zealand and the world. You could say, we’re a bit picky.

Our Leadership Team

The Leadership Team is responsible for ensuring that everything outlined in Mr Apple’s plan comes to fruition, that all activity is aligned to the company's mission and vision and that the business is on track to achieve its goals.

Aaron Magon

Head of Technology Delivery

After many years of agency and entrepreneurial experience in the technical space across Australasia, Aaron relocated to Hawke’s Bay to join Mr Apple in 2021. Aaron’s sense of innovation and intrinsic knowledge of all aspects of IT service management and delivery means that Mr Apple’s drive to continuously innovate is well supported in the technical space.

Andrew Van Workum

CEO

Andrew has extensive experience in the apple industry. He has been at Mr Apple since it began in 2001, and prior to that, was the General Manager of Mr Apple’s predecessor, Grocorp Pacific Limited. With over three decades experience of all aspects of apple production, Andrew is a CEO who really understands the huge team effort that large scale apple production requires.

Ben McLeod

Global Sales & Marketing Manager

Ben leads an experienced team, selling and marketing Mr Apple to over 45-countries worldwide. With over 20-years’ experience in NZ and abroad with import & export sales he joined Mr Apple in 2010 to develop their modern retail business and help build their brand story, positioning, and overall company strategy.

Danielle Rogers

Head of Orchards

Danielle moved into the role as Head of Orchards in 2020, after over a decade in finance which included stints as the Finance Manager for Heinz Wattie’s, Senior Associate for Pricewaterhouse Coopers, and as a Financial Controller here at Mr Apple. Danielle’s financial nous, combined with strong people leadership, is a perfect combination of skills to lead the large number of orchards to grow perfect apples every season.

Jan Flowers

Head of Post-Harvest

Jan has spent her life around Orchards and Apples, working in the family business - growing and packing apples, right here in Hawkes’ Bay. Jan has now been with Mr Apple for almost 2 decades and brings her extensive knowledge around the varied demands of Post-Harvest processes enabling her team to deliver top quality service to our consumers, with an eye on safety at all times.

John Bateson

Head of Finance

John has strong financial and treasury experience, gained from senior roles in some of New Zealand’s key organisations; leading the Treasury function for KiwiRail, and Group Reporting and Corporate Finance function for NZ Post. More recently, John was CFO of Brownrigg Agriculture Group, a large privately owned diversified agribusiness. He brings his finance and accounting experience to Mr Apple to lead financial management and drive performance.

Nicola Brightwell

Head of People & Culture

With international experience in all facets of leadership development, change and high performance – Nicola brings a strong and versatile skillset garnered from working across a range of industries, including clinical research, technology, financial services, and high performance sports. Nicola is skilled at embracing diversity in the workplace and building a team culture of inclusivity. Nicola leads the People & Culture team including the Health & Safety & Wellbeing team at Mr Apple.

Our Values

Our values ensure we are all working towards the same goal and support the Mr Apple vision whilst shaping its culture.

Stronger Together

We are one team

At Mr Apple we mahi as one. With such a large team, it’s crucial that we work together to uphold our very high standards. We help each other and we support each other. We are one team, we are one community.

Live the Standard

We act with integrity & respect

We respect each other, our workplace, our customers, the Mr Apple brand and we maintain integrity in all of our decisions and actions.

Future Thinkers

We own change & always bring solutions

We are leaders in apple innovation and technology; we recognise that change is a challenge to be benchmark setters, and we embrace it. We seek and nurture creative thinking and big ideas.

Embrace Diversity

We celebrate difference because we all belong

We believe that we can set the benchmark only with a diverse team of people and thought. We embrace and celebrate difference. We know that we are so fortunate to have such a richly diverse team and this is reflected in everything we do.

Always Growing

We pursue the best - People & Apples

We’re proud to attract and grow people to the best they can be whilst also being part of growing the best apples in the world.