Executive Team
Dean Peterken
General Manager
Dean leads the team to ensure that we have the right people, processes and equipment to do an excellent job of making and shipping great products that our customer will love. This means that the customer is at the centre of everything we do, everyone goes home safe at the end of the day and the products that we make are food safe, taste great and arrive on time for our customers. Dean brings over 10 years experience in the dairy industry in operational and quality roles so is a real asset to Canary.
Dean enjoys working at Canary because of the ‘can do’ attitude of everyone in the company.
When Dean is not at work, he can be found on his bike either exercising himself or coaching others in road and track racing. He also does some work with Cycling New Zealand’s Junior Development and High Performance programmes. In the little time he has when not doing that, he has a soft spot for old Italian cars and is kept busy with his 1974 Alfa Romeo
Dean Peterken
General Manager
Dean leads the team to ensure that we have the right people, processes and equipment to do an excellent job of making and shipping great products that our customer will love. This means that the customer is at the centre of everything we do, everyone goes home safe at the end of the day and the products that we make are food safe, taste great and arrive on time for our customers. Dean brings over 10 years experience in the dairy industry in operational and quality roles so is a real asset to Canary.
Dean enjoys working at Canary because of the ‘can do’ attitude of everyone in the company.
When Dean is not at work, he can be found on his bike either exercising himself or coaching others in road and track racing. He also does some work with Cycling New Zealand’s Junior Development and High Performance programmes. In the little time he has when not doing that, he has a soft spot for old Italian cars and is kept busy with his 1974 Alfa Romeo
James Gray
Director
As one of the founding members of Canary, James has been there since the beginning and is part of the business development team. He has a number of key accounts and is responsible for the Australian distribution business for Canary. His knowledge and commitment to his customers remains his hallmark and James believes that this is key to our ongoing success.
James’ favourite thing about Canary is being able to see the progress and development of our people, teams and overall business since Canary was founded in 2001.
While always a busy man, James definitely makes the most of what time he has off and is a keen golfer and surfer. He also makes sure to spend time with his ‘rapidly expanding’ family who keep him on his toes.
James Gray
Director
As one of the founding members of Canary, James has been there since the beginning and is part of the business development team. He has a number of key accounts and is responsible for the Australian distribution business for Canary. His knowledge and commitment to his customers remains his hallmark and James believes that this is key to our ongoing success.
James’ favourite thing about Canary is being able to see the progress and development of our people, teams and overall business since Canary was founded in 2001.
While always a busy man, James definitely makes the most of what time he has off and is a keen golfer and surfer. He also makes sure to spend time with his ‘rapidly expanding’ family who keep him on his toes.
Matt Mountfort
Global Sales Manager
Matt is the Global Sales Manager for Canary and has the pleasure of working on our strategic direction, servicing our key business partners and finding new partners and opportunities for Canary to showcase our portfolio to the world. We are currently opening new markets to expand our global reach and are set to increase our branded footprint across Asia and Middle East - watch this space!
Matt enjoys getting out to meet our customers, immersing in multiple cultures, establishing new partnerships as well as finding solutions to our existing business partners’ challenges.
When he isn’t working or travelling, Matt spends his time playing golf, has taken up tennis again since moving back to New Zealand and enjoys leisurely jogs to the Auckland waterfront. He enjoys good food and wine and is an avid traveller and the opportunity to do that with Canary is something he cherishes.
Matt is also a bit of a chocoholic purposely scouring out all the new latest editions of NZ’s favourite Whittakers intending to hold them as collector items, only to find they are empty packets within the day!
Matt Mountfort
Global Sales Manager
Matt is the Global Sales Manager for Canary and has the pleasure of working on our strategic direction, servicing our key business partners and finding new partners and opportunities for Canary to showcase our portfolio to the world. We are currently opening new markets to expand our global reach and are set to increase our branded footprint across Asia and Middle East - watch this space!
Matt enjoys getting out to meet our customers, immersing in multiple cultures, establishing new partnerships as well as finding solutions to our existing business partners’ challenges.
When he isn’t working or travelling, Matt spends his time playing golf, has taken up tennis again since moving back to New Zealand and enjoys leisurely jogs to the Auckland waterfront. He enjoys good food and wine and is an avid traveller and the opportunity to do that with Canary is something he cherishes.
Matt is also a bit of a chocoholic purposely scouring out all the new latest editions of NZ’s favourite Whittakers intending to hold them as collector items, only to find they are empty packets within the day!
Sales & Sales Operations Team
Hannah Archibald
New Zealand Sales Account Manager
Hannah looks after our NZ customers and works closely with our key foodservice distributors throughout New Zealand. She is committed to ensure our premium dairy products are readily available to bakeries, cafes, restaurants, hotels and food manufacturers. She really values the relationships she has with her customers which is demonstrated by her focus on delivering products that are not only of a high standard but also add value to their business. Communication, exceeding expectations and providing exceptional service is what makes Hannah so well suited to her role and this company.
Hannah enjoys working at Canary because of the fast paced environment where every day is different. She loves building and maintaining relationships with people.
When Hannah is not at Canary she is busy spending time with her husband Matt, and their daughter, Indie. She is mad on exercise, playing sports and spending time with her family and friends.
Hannah Archibald
New Zealand Sales Account Manager
Hannah looks after our NZ customers and works closely with our key foodservice distributors throughout New Zealand. She is committed to ensure our premium dairy products are readily available to bakeries, cafes, restaurants, hotels and food manufacturers. She really values the relationships she has with her customers which is demonstrated by her focus on delivering products that are not only of a high standard but also add value to their business. Communication, exceeding expectations and providing exceptional service is what makes Hannah so well suited to her role and this company.
Hannah enjoys working at Canary because of the fast paced environment where every day is different. She loves building and maintaining relationships with people.
When Hannah is not at Canary she is busy spending time with her husband Matt, and their daughter, Indie. She is mad on exercise, playing sports and spending time with her family and friends.
Lindsey Burgess
Sales Operations Coordinator
Lindsey works alongside Nicola to make up one half of the Sales Operations team. She deals with order pricing, customer inquiries, product requirements and specifications and essentially looks after the customer from order placement through to delivery of the order. She has a wealth of experience with nearly 20 years in the export logistics industry.
Lindsey enjoys working at Canary because of the great people and the variety that her role entails.
To say food is Lindsey’s passion is an understatement, from eating at a Michelin Star/Three Hat restaurant to a hawker stall in an alley way there is nothing she will not try at least once... Her other favourites in life are golf, fishing, shopping and entertaining friends and family. Being from South Africa, most of her family is on the other side of the world so spending time with her family and friends in NZ is a very important part of her life.
Lindsey Burgess
Sales Operations Coordinator
Lindsey works alongside Nicola to make up one half of the Sales Operations team. She deals with order pricing, customer inquiries, product requirements and specifications and essentially looks after the customer from order placement through to delivery of the order. She has a wealth of experience with nearly 20 years in the export logistics industry.
Lindsey enjoys working at Canary because of the great people and the variety that her role entails.
To say food is Lindsey’s passion is an understatement, from eating at a Michelin Star/Three Hat restaurant to a hawker stall in an alley way there is nothing she will not try at least once... Her other favourites in life are golf, fishing, shopping and entertaining friends and family. Being from South Africa, most of her family is on the other side of the world so spending time with her family and friends in NZ is a very important part of her life.
Supply Chain Team
Shaun Blackbourn
Manufacturing Demand Planner
Shaun's role involves planning and monitoring all product that we make on site. He does his best to juggle our manufacturing schedule to ensure that our customers are never left wanting. Shaun works closely with all parts of the business to ensure that product leaves when it should, what we planned to make was made and that we are always improving. His previous experience in purchasing roles and as the Stores Supervisor are invaluable and means that he has a broad understanding of the business.
Shaun’s favourite thing about working at Canary is the friendly banter which never ends – and is typically at his expense!
If Shaun isn’t at work he is either on the indoor bowls mat in his granddad slippers, hanging out with his family or watching anything to do with sports.
Shaun Blackbourn
Manufacturing Demand Planner
Shaun's role involves planning and monitoring all product that we make on site. He does his best to juggle our manufacturing schedule to ensure that our customers are never left wanting. Shaun works closely with all parts of the business to ensure that product leaves when it should, what we planned to make was made and that we are always improving. His previous experience in purchasing roles and as the Stores Supervisor are invaluable and means that he has a broad understanding of the business.
Shaun’s favourite thing about working at Canary is the friendly banter which never ends – and is typically at his expense!
If Shaun isn’t at work he is either on the indoor bowls mat in his granddad slippers, hanging out with his family or watching anything to do with sports.
Technical Team
Margaret McCracken
Senior NPD Technologist
Margaret is our very own butter chef at Canary and is always bringing us buttery treats to try. As a career Food Technologist, she has over 25 years experience in the food industry and it certainly shows. She manages all new product development from experimenting in her kitchen to commercial trials and product improvement.
Margaret’s favourite thing about Canary is that everyone works closely to quickly respond to our customers. In her own words, ‘we often start with something that seems impossible, but we nut out a way to get it done’.
Always looking for an excuse to be outside, Margaret enjoys spending time in her garden (which is a self-described ‘messy riot of scented flowers, wildlife and fruit and veges’), water skiing on Lake Karapiro or – when she does go inside – trying out new recipes.
Margaret McCracken
Senior NPD Technologist
Margaret is our very own butter chef at Canary and is always bringing us buttery treats to try. As a career Food Technologist, she has over 25 years experience in the food industry and it certainly shows. She manages all new product development from experimenting in her kitchen to commercial trials and product improvement.
Margaret’s favourite thing about Canary is that everyone works closely to quickly respond to our customers. In her own words, ‘we often start with something that seems impossible, but we nut out a way to get it done’.
Always looking for an excuse to be outside, Margaret enjoys spending time in her garden (which is a self-described ‘messy riot of scented flowers, wildlife and fruit and veges’), water skiing on Lake Karapiro or – when she does go inside – trying out new recipes.
Mathew Daniels
Quality and Regulatory Specialist
Mathew works within the quality team ensuring that we make safe and wholesome products for all our customers. If something isn’t right, it’s Mat’s job to make it right. He maintains the company Risk Management Programme (RMP) to maximise our traceability, compliance and food safety and manages the regulatory affairs to ensure that we can meet our ever-changing customer requirements smoothly throughout the business.
Mat - also known as Matty or Daniel – enjoys working at Canary because everyone has a great attitude and is always up for a good laugh, something that definitely shortens the day and gives it an extra ‘chirp’.
In his free time, Mat enjoys spending time with his partner, DIY-ing, binging on movies and playing with his ‘gravity defying’ cat as she does backflips and attacks the air even when nothing is there.
Mathew Daniels
Quality and Regulatory Specialist
Mathew works within the quality team ensuring that we make safe and wholesome products for all our customers. If something isn’t right, it’s Mat’s job to make it right. He maintains the company Risk Management Programme (RMP) to maximise our traceability, compliance and food safety and manages the regulatory affairs to ensure that we can meet our ever-changing customer requirements smoothly throughout the business.
Mat - also known as Matty or Daniel – enjoys working at Canary because everyone has a great attitude and is always up for a good laugh, something that definitely shortens the day and gives it an extra ‘chirp’.
In his free time, Mat enjoys spending time with his partner, DIY-ing, binging on movies and playing with his ‘gravity defying’ cat as she does backflips and attacks the air even when nothing is there.
Manufacturing Operations Team
Joseph Te Hira
Production Manager
Joe coordinates the day-to-day production by ensuring that we have the right people in the right places in our factory to produce quality products that we can be proud of. Joe brings over 20 years’ experience in the food industry from manufacturing meals for Jenny Craig to loading hoppers of wet fish to be filleted.
Joe’s favourite thing about working at Canary is that it gives him the ability to brag about the quality products that we make – especially the Lewis Road Butter. He is a grounded leader in the factory but never misses an opportunity to quote Jerry McGuire in his team meetings.
When Joe isn’t working, he enjoys watching his kids sporting events, chilling out with the odd gaming session and reading. His top three books are ‘Be Your Best’ by Steve Price, ‘Dan Carter: Skills and Performance’ and ‘The E-Myth Revisited’ by Michael Gerber.
Joseph Te Hira
Production Manager
Joe coordinates the day-to-day production by ensuring that we have the right people in the right places in our factory to produce quality products that we can be proud of. Joe brings over 20 years’ experience in the food industry from manufacturing meals for Jenny Craig to loading hoppers of wet fish to be filleted.
Joe’s favourite thing about working at Canary is that it gives him the ability to brag about the quality products that we make – especially the Lewis Road Butter. He is a grounded leader in the factory but never misses an opportunity to quote Jerry McGuire in his team meetings.
When Joe isn’t working, he enjoys watching his kids sporting events, chilling out with the odd gaming session and reading. His top three books are ‘Be Your Best’ by Steve Price, ‘Dan Carter: Skills and Performance’ and ‘The E-Myth Revisited’ by Michael Gerber.
Kelvin Coates
Improvements Lead
Kelvin is the ‘man with a plan’ and as such leads the way in Canary’s continuous improvement and growth. He has worked extensively in the factory since being employed by Canary and has a unique insight into everything going on in that area of Canary. He works very closely with New Product Development to optimise plant capabilities and ensure that we are operating in the best way possible to maximise quality, efficiency and minimise unnecessary waste. If you tell him something you want to do, he can instantly step you through what it is going to take to achieve it.
He enjoys working for Canary because he believes that it is an innovative, ‘Go To’ company and loves the challenge of working on new things.
In his spare time, Kelvin enjoys getting out and about, whether it’s a nice walk or bike along the river, around a lake or through the bush. He is constantly challenging himself to go that little bit further or that little bit faster.
Kelvin Coates
Improvements Lead
Kelvin is the ‘man with a plan’ and as such leads the way in Canary’s continuous improvement and growth. He has worked extensively in the factory since being employed by Canary and has a unique insight into everything going on in that area of Canary. He works very closely with New Product Development to optimise plant capabilities and ensure that we are operating in the best way possible to maximise quality, efficiency and minimise unnecessary waste. If you tell him something you want to do, he can instantly step you through what it is going to take to achieve it.
He enjoys working for Canary because he believes that it is an innovative, ‘Go To’ company and loves the challenge of working on new things.
In his spare time, Kelvin enjoys getting out and about, whether it’s a nice walk or bike along the river, around a lake or through the bush. He is constantly challenging himself to go that little bit further or that little bit faster.
Christina Turner
Inventory Controller
Christina is in charge of maintaining, stocktaking and otherwise monitoring all of the inventory held on the premises and manages the receipt of any high value ingredients that come in (e.g. butter, cheese etc). She also processes the arrival, loading and dispatch of export containers and oversees the picking, dispatch and documentation of local sales orders.
Christina enjoys working at Canary because everyone is friendly and willing to lend a hand when needed
Outside of work she loves to bake, play video games, watch movies and contribute in the online streaming community. She also enjoys spending time with her partner, four cats and her dog Teddy.
Christina Turner
Inventory Controller
Christina is in charge of maintaining, stocktaking and otherwise monitoring all of the inventory held on the premises and manages the receipt of any high value ingredients that come in (e.g. butter, cheese etc). She also processes the arrival, loading and dispatch of export containers and oversees the picking, dispatch and documentation of local sales orders.
Christina enjoys working at Canary because everyone is friendly and willing to lend a hand when needed
Outside of work she loves to bake, play video games, watch movies and contribute in the online streaming community. She also enjoys spending time with her partner, four cats and her dog Teddy.
Commercial Team
Aronie Lennan
Accountant
As the company accountant, Aronie guards Canary’s finances with her life and crunches numbers better than anyone else out there. She also acts as the Privacy Officer and has a sharp eye for detail – watch out! She is also known around the office for making the best carrot cake you will ever have and because of that it always disappears fast!
Aronie enjoys working at Canary because of the opportunities to do things outside of your job description.
When Aronie isn’t at work, she can be found renovating her 1920’s cottage, walking half marathons or running around the Lacrosse field. When does she rest, you might ask? We don’t know either!
Aronie Lennan
Accountant
As the company accountant, Aronie guards Canary’s finances with her life and crunches numbers better than anyone else out there. She also acts as the Privacy Officer and has a sharp eye for detail – watch out! She is also known around the office for making the best carrot cake you will ever have and because of that it always disappears fast!
Aronie enjoys working at Canary because of the opportunities to do things outside of your job description.
When Aronie isn’t at work, she can be found renovating her 1920’s cottage, walking half marathons or running around the Lacrosse field. When does she rest, you might ask? We don’t know either!
Jaimee McGrail
Accounts Assistant and Administration
Jaimee is our friendly neighbourhood accounts payable lady and processes the bulk of the day to day invoices on top of payroll, HR duties and Leadership Team support. Often mistaken as the receptionist, Jaimee does a lot of behind the scenes work as well as greeting visitors with a smile. She is always partial to a practical joke and has some of the quickest wit of anybody in the office.
Jaimee’s favourite thing about Canary is the small company feel where everyone knows and gets along well with one another.
Outside of work, Jaimee is an active mum (read taxi!) to two kids and spends a lot of time supporting them from the sideline of their sports matches.
Jaimee McGrail
Accounts Assistant and Administration
Jaimee is our friendly neighbourhood accounts payable lady and processes the bulk of the day to day invoices on top of payroll, HR duties and Leadership Team support. Often mistaken as the receptionist, Jaimee does a lot of behind the scenes work as well as greeting visitors with a smile. She is always partial to a practical joke and has some of the quickest wit of anybody in the office.
Jaimee’s favourite thing about Canary is the small company feel where everyone knows and gets along well with one another.
Outside of work, Jaimee is an active mum (read taxi!) to two kids and spends a lot of time supporting them from the sideline of their sports matches.