Team

Working together

Growing the finest table grapes is our passion, but we are equally focused on our people who put the hard work in to bring you such deliciousness.

We help our people grow their skills to become the best they can be in their employment, while also strongly encouraging a healthy work-life balance which sees them enjoy all of the wonderful leisure opportunities that Hawke’s Bay provides.

As well as our permanent team, we partake in educational exchanges, hosting students from Japan that come to New Zealand from the Tokyo University of Agriculture.

Shin
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Shin Koizumi

Shin Koizumi is at the helm of Greencollar New Zealand, bringing his senior leadership and global expansion project management experience to the initiative. Shin is passionate about grapes, and about his new lifestyle in New Zealand. His desire to make people happy with delicious fruit stems from time as a child helping his grandparents harvest cherries and grapes in Yamanashi prefecture in Japan. After 30 years in professional roles in major cities, Shin made the decision to pursue his horticulture dream. He has been pivotal in shaping the Greencollar vision, firstly exploring ideal grape-growing soils the northern and southern hemispheres, ultimately choosing Hawke’s Bay as best-placed to enable a harvest season complementary to Japan's. Today, a specialist team melds the Hawke's Bay's excellent growing climate with advanced Japanese techniques to produce the finest table grapes.

Shin oversees all operations in Hawke’s Bay, where his commitment to innovation in sustainable grape production drives the company's ongoing success.

Director - Finance and Administration

Kieran O'Hagan
Director-Kieran-large

Kieran is a seasoned entrepreneur and strategic advisor with extensive experience guiding boards and senior leadership teams across New Zealand. His diverse governance portfolio spans a range of industries, including horticulture, agri-tech, enterprise software, property development, investment management, and education. He holds a diploma in business from Massey University, is a former Associate Member of the New Zealand Stock Exchange, a Certified Securities Analyst, and an Authorised Financial Adviser.

General Manager - Operation and Sustainability

Xan Harding
Xan-large

Xan Harding leads Greencollar’s operations and sustainability efforts in Hawke’s Bay. With extensive experience in viticulture, environmental management and local government, Xan is dedicated to supporting the team to produce premium-quality grapes while minimising environmental impact, optimizing efficiency, and ensuring safety at every step. His commitment to sustainability helps drive our continuous improvement in responsible farming practices and innovation.

Vineyard Manager

Takayuki Kagayama

 

Takayuki-small

Information & communication technology

Nozomu Takahashi

 

Nozomu

Sales and Administration

Kumiko Koizumi

 

Kumiko

Managing Director

Shin Koizumi
Managing Director-Shin

Director

Osamu Oba
Director-Osamu

Director

Yusuke Kaburagi
Director-Yusuke

Ambassador

Sir John Kirwan
Ambassador Sir John Kirwan

Sir John is legendary, not only for his role as a member of the All Blacks (New Zealand's national rugby team) but, post-rugby career, as a globally recognised mental health advocate. His mission to help people improve their mental health aligns closely with our commitment to help our team members be the best they can be – looking after themselves at work and at home. We are very proud to have Sir John agree to be Greencollar New Zealand’s ambassador, and strive every day to live up to the standards he epitomises. We encourage our team members to ensure they do something every day that supports their mental health, whether that be reading, sports, playing, crafts . . . adding things to our lives that help us feel and function well.

Chief Technical Officer

Tetsuya Higuchi
Chief Technical Officer Tetsuya Higuchi

With nearly 30 years of expertise in growing premium table grapes, Tetsuya Higuchi is a master of his craft, renowned for his work in both Japan and New Zealand. Originally from Japan's Yamanashi Prefecture — an area famed for its advanced grape-growing techniques — Tetsuya brings unparalleled knowledge and innovation to Greencollar New Zealand. His deep-rooted experience allows him to contribute to the continued growth and development of our Hawke’s Bay vineyard, specialising in cultivar selection and supporting us to pioneer sustainable growing techniques.

Our Varieties
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Our Varieties

Our Cultivation Method
02.

Our Cultivation Method

Our Story
03.

Our Story

The Greencollar team
04.

Our Team