The National Council meets quarterly to consider matters of industry interest as well as issues raised by the regional branches.
Within the national council there are 7 portfolios lead by a dedicated councillor to drive progress in these particular areas: Spreadmark, Lime & Fert, Events & Communications, Transport, Training, Health & Safety and Membership matters.
The regional branches meet regularly and set their own agendas. Each branch elects its own chairman and committee members.
After years of steady contribution to Groundspread NZ, Lee Cooper now leads the Association into its next chapter as President. Taking the baton from Simon Pedersen, Lee represents a seamless transition between experience and evolution. His dual role as President and Spreadmark Portfolio Lead places him at the heart of Groundspread NZ’s strategic, technical, and operational direction.
“We’re not here to maintain the status quo—we’re here to build on the legacy of those before us. My goal is to keep things moving forward with clarity and credibility, especially around Spreadmark. Let’s keep raising the bar, together.”
Lee’s leadership comes at a pivotal time. The Spreadmark scheme is evolving, the licensing model is being redefined, and Council portfolios are now streamlined to drive real accountability. Lee brings a calm, pragmatic voice to the table—backed by genuine care for the people who keep the trucks rolling and the paddocks productive.
Stephen Whitehead brings strategic focus and operational grit to one of Groundspread NZ’s most essential areas: training. With responsibility for the GroundED leadership programme and the rollout of the revised Spreadmark Code of Practice training, Stephen’s role is central to how the industry grows and evolves.
“Training’s not just about compliance—it’s about pride in the job, knowing your worth, lifting others around you, and building businesses that are future-fit. When people know what good looks like, and how to deliver it, they stand taller. That’s what I’m working toward.”
Stephen is also working on a national framework to support and recognise experienced driver mentors—turning institutional knowledge into industry strength. He’s a practical thinker who believes good training is a legacy you leave in the hands of your team.
From Life Members to new Associate businesses, Kelly Thomas is making sure everyone in the Groundspread NZ whānau feels seen, valued, and connected. Her role is all about building bridges—between members, branches, and the Council—while keeping an eye on what future membership should look like.
“We’re stronger together. That’s not just a catchphrase—it’s a challenge to us all to stay engaged, show up, and support each other as we grow.”
Kelly will be driving engagement across all membership types, hosting regular branch executive Zooms, and overseeing the rollout of the AFSA MOU to build trans-Tasman collaboration. She’s a connector, a listener, and a firm believer in making membership more than just a logo on a truck.
As Immediate Past President, Simon Pedersen remains a cornerstone of Council leadership, offering strategic support while mentoring a refreshed team. During his presidency, Simon guided Groundspread NZ through constitutional reform, governance reorganisation, and a renewed focus on training and industry voice.
“This Association has 70 years of history. We’re custodians of that story—and it’s our job to make sure the next chapter is bold, relevant, and member-led.”
Simon continues to bring insight and calm to key moments, supporting the EO, Council, and members behind the scenes. His belief in long-term thinking and member representation ensures the organisation’s foundations stay strong, even as it adapts to a new era of delivery.
Based in the South, James Stenton is one half of Groundspread NZ’s transport duo, providing support and advocacy for members dealing with road, compliance, and fleet issues. With firsthand experience in the cab, James knows the value of practical, timely support when challenges arise.
“We’ve got to protect how we operate—because if we lose efficiency on the road or in the paddock, then we lose time, money, and trust with our clients. My job is to make sure those frustrations are heard and actioned.”
James will keep a finger on the pulse of transport concerns across the South Island and will work closely with Stuart Davison to identify patterns and escalate national issues to Council and NZTA. They are also planning to build a log of past transport wins, so members can see what’s been achieved over the years—and where we’re heading next.
Jen Hall is on a mission to make health and safety feel like second nature—not red tape. With experience on the ground and a genuine passion for keeping people safe, she’s working to build a stronger safety culture across the country, one conversation at a time.
“We’ve all heard the phrase ‘she’ll be right.’ But when it comes to safety, we’ve got to be better than that—for our teams, our families, and our businesses. My goal is to turn good intent into action.”
Jen is looking to redevelop a national system for tracking near misses and incidents—giving members access to real-time learning and sector-wide visibility. She’s also going to share practical safety sessions with branches and turn successful member initiatives into usable templates and toolkits. Expect her to ask the tough questions—and follow up with workable solutions.
Kylie Owen steps into a brand-new portfolio designed to match the momentum Groundspread NZ has been building over the past 70 years. This refreshed role reflects the importance of connection, celebration, and storytelling in a modern membership organisation.
“We’ve got grit, pride, and innovation running through this sector. My job is to make sure those stories are seen, heard, and celebrated—whether it’s in a magazine, on a stage, or through a simple conversation.”
Kylie will oversee the annual awards programme, curate content for the Association magazine, and help lift Groundspread NZ’s profile across media and member channels. With warmth and energy, she ensures that communication is not just a function—but a force for unity.
From regulatory shifts to regional quirks, Stuart Davison has his eye on the full picture of transport challenges in the North Island. He’s passionate about making sure drivers and owners alike feel supported when navigating compliance and operational change.
“When you’re running a business and juggling drivers, deadlines, and trucks—transport shouldn’t be a guessing game. We need clear comms, clear rules, and a sector voice that actually gets heard.”
Stuart is building connections with key players at NZTA, the trucking associations, maintaining a shared transport issues log with James Stenton, and working with the EO to communicate sector updates clearly and consistently. He’s here to remove barriers, not add red tape.
Rob Hammond is the quiet force working to make sure what’s going on paddocks matches what’s promised by suppliers. With a long background in spreading and a strong understanding of quality control, Rob leads Groundspread NZ’s efforts to improve issue resolution and product traceability.
“It’s simple: if something’s not right, we want to fix it. But we can’t fix what we don’t see or hear about —so my role is about building better systems, better relationships, and better outcomes for members.”
Rob is developing a mobile app that will allow members to log fertiliser and lime complaints easily and track follow-up. He’s also maintaining open lines with major suppliers and co-ops to ensure concerns are heard, not buried. Rob is your go-to if you’ve ever thought, ‘This shouldn’t happen again.” Pick up the phone and give Rob a call!
Steve Elliot has been appointed to a brand-new portfolio that looks firmly to the future of the industry. The Groundspread Futures Lead role was established through Council’s Annual Strategic Plan review, which identified sustainability, technology adoption, and workforce development as areas needing stronger focus.
“As an industry we’ve got to keep one eye on today and the other on tomorrow. My role is about helping members navigate change while also showing young people that groundspreading is a modern, skilled career.”
Steve brings the added perspective of being a participant in the GroundED leadership programme, which has given him tools and insights to contribute at a governance level. He will now begin applying this training to his portfolio—monitoring developments in innovation, technology, and sustainability, and reporting back to Council so opportunities and risks can be discussed openly.
A key focus will also be youth engagement: helping to bring the story of groundspreading into schools and showing students the essential role spreader operators play in farming and food production.
Steve sees this as an opportunity to contribute his experience, share fresh ideas, and support members as the sector adapts to change. His focus is on helping ensure Groundspread NZ remains a strong, future-focused voice for the industry.
