Aqus is incredibly proud of the skills and expertise of our team - from governance to operation. Given the collaborative beginnings of our organisation, we believe that Aqus has one of the strongest and most skilled teams of irrigation specialists within New Zealand.
The Aqus Board is made up of two directors from each of the LWIC and NOIC schemes, along with an independent. Current directors are Matt Ross (Chair/NOIC), Callum Kingan (NOIC), Dave Gordon (LWIC), Becky Lamming (LWIC) and Dave Hazlehurst (independent).
Andrew joined NOIC in May 2019, before transitioning to the Aqus CEO role in 2024. Andrew brings an extensive commercial and international background, that includes significant experience in the primary sector through roles with Genestock (accelerated breeding of cashmere and angora goats), Fruitfed Export (kiwifruit exporting) and as CEO of Arborgen (NZ’s largest forestry biotech company). These were interspersed with seven years in California, initially as New Zealand’s Trade Commissioner in Los Angeles (with a focus on food and agritech), then as Executive Vice President for a US subsidiary of Telecom NZ and subsequent CEO roles in high-tech engineering and manufacturing.
Andrew is an advocate for the primary sector and for the environment. “The value of irrigation water cannot be underestimated, nor can the responsibility of those who distribute and use it. Water has the capacity to transform farming, lift productivity, provide land use options not otherwise possible, bring regional economic growth, jobs and opportunities. It is incumbent on us all to maximise the efficiency of our schemes, with equal emphasis on environmental sustainability. Success in both is Aqus' objective.”
Stephen joined NOIC in 2017, before transitioning to Aqus in 2024. Stephen is responsible for overseeing the financial control of the business and contributing to strategic planning and business development. He started his career in banking and has worked overseas in project finance for several international banks, as well as serving a variety of industries within the corporate banking sector here in NZ. Stephen then moved into chartered accounting, which led him into business consulting and financial management. Prior to joining NOIC, Stephen worked for NZ Genomics, a national science infrastructure that served all sectors of NZ science.
Stephen is a keen rower and competes in master’s regattas. He lives in Kakanui.
Satish joined Aqus in May 2025, bringing over a decade of experience in irrigation design and project management with a multinational company in India. Coming from a farming background, he holds a B. Tech in Agricultural Engineering, an M. Tech in Irrigation Engineering, and a Masters in Precision Agriculture from Lincoln University.
In New Zealand, Satish worked as an Irrigation Design Professional in the Bay of Plenty, contributing to efficient and sustainable irrigation systems for kiwi & other crops. Now based in Oamaru, he leads Engineering at Aqus, focusing on delivering high-performance solutions across irrigation schemes.
Outside of work, Satish enjoys spending time with his family and is passionate about fitness, regularly working out at the gym to stay active and balanced.
Mike started with NOIC in July 2021, before transitioning to Aqus in 2024. He has extensive resource management industry experience having worked in this field for nearly 30 years, including consulting in the rural sector with the majority of his clients being dairy farmers with irrigation.
Mike also owns and operates a 130 hectare sheep and beef farm (with the odd bit of dairy support and cropping) near Herbert so appreciates the many challenges confronting shareholders.
Colin was born in Dunedin but completed most of his schooling in Oamaru before moving to Australia where he worked in a number of different industries for approx. seven years. He returned to North Otago to raise his family and has held a number of managerial roles in the district. Colin joined NOIC near the end of the 2016 irrigation season, during a time of significant change with the development of the expansion and transitioned to Aqus in 2024. He has relished the opportunity to be part of the scheme’s growth and develop relationships with shareholders and interested parties.
Jodi Leckie
Projects Manager
Anita Walton
Environmental Advisor
Nicola Frank
Administration Manager
Alysha Burton
Administration Assistant
Doreen Cleave
Accountant
Carmen Brenssell
Administration Assistant
Will Fisher
Pumped Scheme Supervisor
Barry Johnston
Operator
Andrew Bain
Operator
Chris Thrupp
Operator
Jaco Minnaar
Gravity Scheme Supervisor
Michael Lane
Operator
Andrew Ward
Operator
Scott Matthews
Operator