News story by Danielle Zollickhofer is the Waikato news director and a multimedia journalist at the Waikato Herald. 

Rural community stalwart Geoff Maber (School 1961-1965) has been recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours.

The owner of Power Farming Group has been appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for his services to agribusiness.

Maber said he was delighted to receive the honour.

“Not just for me, but for everyone in the [Power Farming] group.

“I’m humbled, extremely humbled,” the Hamilton man said.

Maber grew up in Morrinsville and has contributed to the agribusiness sector for more than 50 years, transforming the small family-owned machinery business, Maber Motors, founded by his father, Laurie, in 1948.

Young Geoff joined Maber Motors soon after leaving school in the 1960s, and when the company secured the rights to distribute Iseki tractors in the 1970s, he formed a separate wholesale company for this venture.

The new company, founded in 1978, was named Power Farming.

Under Maber’s leadership, Power Farming Group has expanded from a small family business to become the largest privately owned tractor and farm machinery business in the Southern Hemisphere.

The group generates $600 million annually, and employs 500 people in New Zealand, Australia and North America.

Power Farming led the expansion of the wider group internationally in 2017, securing the rights to German tractor brand Deutz Fahr, sold in the United States.

Maber has also supported the Waikato region through philanthropic contributions.

Part of the Maber family’s legacy also includes the iconic Morrinsville “Mega Cow” Mabel, built in 2017.

Maber said one of the things he is most proud of is the people behind the business, saying their strength was the key to the company’s success.

As a proud member of the farming sector, Maber said he was passionate about supporting rural communities.

“Rural communities are built on hard-working people who just get on with it.

“There’s a lot of guts and resilience in the farming sector, and I’ve always felt passionate about supporting those communities however we can.

“Farmers work incredibly hard, often with very little recognition.

“They’re resilient, genuine people, and they don’t always get rewarded for what they put in.”

Looking back at his 50 years of involvement with Power Farming, he admitted there had been more lows than highs at times.

“There’s been disappointment, pressure and tough moments, but also some incredible highlights.

“Turning up to the Kentucky Farm Machinery Show in America was something I never imagined when we first started out.

“Seeing our dealers doing well, growing the business internationally, and watching my boys [Craig (Hall 1987-1991) and Brett (Hall 1990-1994)] become involved in the business – those are moments I’m incredibly proud of.”

He also acknowledged the support of his wife, Linda, and his father.

“This all started with my father, Laurie,” Maber said.

“He was a self-made man, a great teacher and someone who instilled strong values, hard work and integrity into the business.”

He said he believed Laurie would be proud of his royal gong.

“My dad would probably say, ‘Well deserved – and about time, too’. He was always telling me to slow down, ‘Stop working so hard, you could drop dead at any moment’."

Though Geoff still has no retirement plans, he remains actively involved in all areas of the family business.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned in business, it’s that you have to have the energy to win.

“I don’t like losing. But more importantly, I don’t want to let people down. I feel a responsibility to the 380 staff across the business.

“That responsibility, dedication and commitment to our people is what keeps me motivated every day.”