About Us
Empowering the farmers of the future
In a move set to redefine how rural New Zealand powers its future, Farmlands and Blackcurrent launched Farmlands FLEX — a joint venture delivering intelligent microgrid systems that promise to slash electricity costs, boost energy resilience, and unlock a new era of rural energy independence.
Electricity is a core input for any business but especially important for New Zealand’s farmers and growers. Farmlands FLEX is our new joint venture between Farmlands and Blackcurrent Energy that helps farmers and growers take control of their electricity costs. Think of it as bringing the co-op model to power – just like Farmlands have done with feed, fuel and fertilizer.
Farmlands FLEX Ignites a Rural Energy Revolution
Farmlands and Blackcurrent have joined forces to create a new joint venture to give New Zealand farmers and growers more control over one of their major input costs: electricity.
For decades, rural businesses have had little control over electricity costs or reliability, which impacts seasonal profitability. Energy management system Farmlands Flex changes that equation completely. By combining our more-than-six decades of agricultural experience with Blackcurrent's leading microgrid expertise, Farmlands Flex offers intelligent energy solutions specifically designed for rural operations.
The Partners
Farmlands: New Zealand's largest rural supplies co-operative, Farmlands has been enhancing the productivity and profitability of Kiwi farmers and growers for over 65 years.
Farmlands are committed to giving the New Zealand ag sector better value by helping manage key rural input costs.
Blackcurrent: electricity market and technology experts. Our solutions help businesses see and understand their current and future electricity needs, to save money and use emerging technology to take control.
Technology Integration, Data Aggregation, and Market Interaction are the tools Blackcurrrent brings to its customers.
The FLEX Team
Pegs
+64 21 221 4453
Pegs is a seasoned founder with a strong track record of driving growth and innovation across New Zealand’s energy and technology sectors. With leadership experience at companies including Cable and Wireless, Meridian Energy, and Flick Electric, he brings deep expertise in marketing, market development, and product strategy. Pegs pairs a hands-on operations background with a passion for market and business development, team building, and the future of renewable energy.
Our local surfer with a deep connection to the land, Pegs brings a grounded, intuitive approach to leadership and innovation
Matt Strik
Operations
+6427 209 0209
Matt is a founder and COO of Blackcurrent. He brings a focus on implementing practical and pragmatic solutions that deliver real business outcomes. Matt brings 20+ years of experience across the electricity and telco industries, leading technology and business change progrommes of all sizes -leading a multi-million civil works and technology installation programmes, managing the development of an integrated energy and water metering solution, overseeing the digital change programme for IRD and more recently as COO of Blackcurrent.
Matt is based on a ‘life sentence’ block just north of Taupo and is a current Farmlands shareholder and loves the value of the Farmlands card
Garvey Daniels
Sales Manager
+64 27 789 2685
Garvey brings over 20 years of senior sales and customer experience leadership, from leading sales teams at the world’s largest adult beverage distributor to serving as Vice President of Sales for a US-based FMCG company.
Originally from Southern California, Garvey now calls the small town of Auckland home.
Luke Fisher
Head of Key Accounts and Strategic Partnerships
+64 27 216 0933
Luke truly understands Farmlands customers, having built an exceptional knowledge base through his impressive career within the co-operative.
Luke began his career with as a Branch Manager in Motueka, providing invaluable frontline insight into daily farming operations. Progressing to Provincial Manager for Retail and Sales in the Upper South Island, he expanded his view to encompass a broader regional customer base and sales strategy. This customer-centric foundation led him to serve as Product Owner for Farmlands PRO, where he drove digital solutions tailored to farmers and growers.
Now, as Head of Key Accounts and Strategic Partnerships, Luke leverages his comprehensive customer insight to forge key relationships and drive strategic growth for Farmlands and its Shareholders.
Renee Faatui
Business Development Manager - Canterbury
+64 27 535 6495
Renee brings a wealth of experience and understanding of the agricultural sector to her role, a position she's held since April 2024. With over a decade dedicated to agriculture across key roles at MyMilk, Synlait Milk, and SealesWinslow, her expertise spans operations, procurement, and account management. This agricultural foundation is complemented by two decades in administration and event management with major New Zealand companies, providing her with a solid foundation in organisational excellence and client relations crucial for growing partnerships and supporting initiatives like Farmlands FLEX.
A graduate of the Kellogg Rural Leadership programme and holding a Postgraduate Certificate in Commerce from Lincoln University, Renee continually invests in her growth and the sector's advancement. Her commitment extends to significant voluntary contributions, including long-time involvement with the Dairy Women’s Network and valuable input to Fonterra’s Mycoplasma bovis response. She is proud to be part of a co-operative that actively champions and advances the businesses of its farmer and grower members.
Bryce Sharkie
Business Development Manager - Upper South Island
+64 27 334 6037
Born and raised in Motueka and a strong connection to Canterbury, Bryce’s dedication to the agricultural sector and its communities has been a driving force throughout his career. His comprehensive knowledge was gained through diverse experiences, from early days in agricultural retail to farm management across dairy and beef operations. He brings this practical expertise back to the field, servicing farmers' needs across the upper South Island.
He is proud to be part of a co-operative that actively champions and advances the businesses of its farmer and grower members.
Sam Connor
Business Development Manager - Waikato & Bay of Plenty
+64 27 220 3577
