Meet the Team - Allen Te Ngaru

Meet Allen Te Ngaru

Supervisor at Manawatū

Allen is a Boning Room Supervisor at ANZCO Foods Manawatū.
 
He keeps a close eye on yields, recording results and looking for ways they can improve. He says it can be a challenge, but at the end of the day, it comes down to productivity and getting as much value as possible from each product. His role also involves plenty of paperwork and health and safety responsibilities, particularly during the busy prime season from July through to around Labour Weekend.
 
It's important to Allen to look after the people in his team. He believes happy people put more into their work, and he aims to treat people the way he would want to be treated. Communication is a big focus, whether it's talking directly with the team, sharing information through toolbox talks and whiteboards, or simply checking in individually with his team.
 
Before joining the meat industry, Allen worked on a sheep and beef farm and also as a shearer. He first joined the Manawatū site as a boner in 1998, spent a couple of years away, and returned in 2001. One thing he's appreciated about ANZCO is how well he feels looked after. Having worked at other ANZCO sites and other companies, he says he likes the size of the Manawatū site, where everyone knows each other and there's a real family feel.
 
Allen's claim to fame is that he won the junior New Zealand shearing championship in 1987. Initially, he took up show shearing to see how well he could do. His first few competitions didn't go to plan, but he kept practising – sometimes until around 8pm at night – and steadily improved. Even breaking his best comb before the championship wasn't enough to stop him from competing and taking out the title.
 
Outside work, Allen enjoys spending time outdoors. He has a 37-acre property with a few sheep and hens, and some of the land is leased to a neighbour. He also still does some part-time shearing at weekends.
 
Allen has an eight-year-old daughter with his partner and enjoys spending time with his family. After work, there's usually something to be done – whether that's doing the washing or dishes, helping with dinner, or mucking around in the shed.

Fun Facts

• Sweet or savoury?
  Savoury
• Text or call?
  Call
• What are you currently working towards?
  Paying my mortgages off
• If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be?
  Playing guitar - or drums!
• What was your first concert?
  Midnight Oil
• What's your perfect day off?
  Try to sleep in, do nothing, and have a reset