Born and bred in Winton, Southland, Jason Doherty, or “Doff” as most know him, made his way north at age 15 when the family moved to Matamata. He’s been there ever since, calling it home for over 35 years.
After finishing up at Matamata College, Doff’s first gigs were at service stations and a local menswear store, where he also ran the ski shop and did repairs in the winter. But it wasn’t long before he found his calling, joining a local electrical company in 1995. “I started off in the storeroom, showed a bit of promise, and worked my way up to leading tradesman, project manager,” says Doff.
Over 23 years, he climbed the ranks, trained up as an electrician, and led by example to train apprentices who are now some of the region’s top electricians.
Then came 2020. “COVID changed a lot of things,” he says. “An opportunity came up at Reid & Harrison, and I haven’t looked back.” Doff brought not just experience, but a vision to streamline how Reid & Harrison delivered complete effluent systems. “It just makes sense to have everything on-site at once, no waiting around for the sparkie to show up.”
Since joining the team, Doff’s worn a few hats. He’s completed the Farm Dairy Effluent : System Design and Management at Massey University, does all the storage calculations for farmers who require a “DESC” Dairy Effluent Storage Calculation from an accredited designer that meets Fonterra requirements and regional council rules, handles proposals through to quotes and installs, and yes, still gets his hands dirty on the tools. “I’m not just sitting behind a desk. I’m out there with the team installing to commissioning systems and making sure it all runs right.”
Doff’s known in the industry, not just for his work, but for being someone farmers and consultants can rely on. “I spent the last ten years before this almost solely on effluent systems. Worked alongside consultants in the the industry. Now I’m on the other side of the fence, and it’s great to catch up with them again, just in a different way.”
Outside of work, life is full. Doff lives in Matamata with his partner and their eight-year-old son, who keeps them on their toes. When he’s off the clock, you’ll find him chasing fish and fresh air. “I enjoy the organic side of life,” he laughs. “Bit of fishing, bit of hunting. Any time on the water or in the bush is all good.”
And that nickname? “Doherty turned into Doff somewhere along the way,” he says. “Started back at school, stuck ever since. Now I hear ‘Jason’ and wonder who they’re talking to.”
At Reid & Harrison, Doff has made it his mission to offer complete, practical solutions that actually work, not just on paper. “We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel. We just use a bit of hindsight and a lot of experience to give farmers a reliable setup that lasts. That’s what it’s about.”
DESIGNED & MANUFACTURED BY:
Reid & Harrison (1980) Ltd.
1 Waihou Street, Matamata 3440, New Zealand
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