Ovation New Zealand

27/10/2026

We’re proud to support Kete and the mahi they do for our Gisborne community. As a local business, we believe in giving back, and supplying locally raised, export-quality lamb is our way of helping put nutritious kai on Tairāwhiti tables. Thank you to the Kete team for the work you do, and to our farming families and team for making it possible. 💚

20/10/2026

🎪2026 Poverty Bay A & P Show Sheep Competition Results🎪

It was great to catch up with most of you at this year’s Gisborne show, although the weather was unpleasant over the two days at times there was still a pleasing turnout in entries and still plenty of punters around the showgrounds.

Again, this year we have a number of annual entrants that make up the majority of our yarding. Most shows seem to have a number of our long-time contestants annually picking up some prize money. Although this year there were a few new names that collected some awards on Saturday too. It takes some time to pick & prepare your lines, and we appreciate the effort made.

A big thank you to our new judges, George Larsen (Ovation Dannevirke) & Scott Bradley (Te Kuiti Meats) “on hoof”, Adam Goodwin & Tim Fox “on hook”. A tough job as the weights showed there were a lot of even lines in the new season pens. Also, our stewards & helpers in the sheep section as well as Heikell Transport for getting them safely to their destination, on time. Lastly all those on site at Ovation that get the job done for us, through to the admin that work hard to get our weights & grades so efficiently!

Congratulations to the following in the On Hoof Category:

3rd - D & A Partnership
2nd - Willows Ag
1st - Kaporehe Farm

Congratulations to the following in the On Hook Category:

3rd - Willows Ag
2nd - Briant Bros
1st - Amberly Farm

Overall, Champion Lamb goes to Wai Station Ltd 🐑

Big thank you to our sponsors that contribute to the livestock sector and the great support from our farming community!

14/10/2026

13/10/2026

Iron keeps you going. 🩸

It’s World Iron Awareness Week, 12–18 October, and Ovation is proud to support this important initiative.

Iron carries oxygen around your body, supports your immune system and helps power your energy. ⚡

Where you get it matters. Haem iron, found in meat, poultry and fish, is absorbed more easily than non-haem iron from plant foods.

Ovation lamb is a delicious way to add more haem iron to your plate. 🥩
Explore our tasty recipes 👉 https://www.ovation.co.nz/kitchen/

Learn more at 👉 https://www.ironweek.co.nz/

12/10/2026

🐑 Don’t forget to come and see us at the Gisborne A&P Show this weekend! We can’t wait to see this year’s competition lambs! 🐑🙌

05/10/2026

Peak Season Commitments Closing this Sunday 11th October!

28/09/2026

🐑 M & C Utting - Gisborne Supplier of the Year 2024-2025 🐑

The weather was fantastic up the Waimata Valley on the day we went up to see Merv Utting & his manager Ben Tekahika of Tamatai Station. We gave them the good news that they had taken out the Gisborne supplier of the year for the 2024 -2025 season. The Waimata Valley has had a number of tough seasons through cyclone Gabrielle and the recovery from numerous weather events since, which has been ongoing.

It is great to see the Utting’s take out the award after being Ovation suppliers for a number of years. Also to make mention of the late Connie who was a big part of the team. These guys are proof that you can still produce cracking lambs averaging over 20kg cw on steep Gisborne hill country, no scales required.

If Merv’s name is familiar, he also has a long history of success in his dog trailing career too. He has won titles throughout the country and has represented & captained the New Zealand team on multiple occasions.

Photo from left Merv Utting, Ben TeKahika & Chris Hurlstone PGGW

09/09/2026

📣 We're hiring in Gisborne!

Looking for work that pays well and sets you up for the future?

Ovation Gisborne - a leading processor and exporter of premium lamb products - is hiring now across our production, yard and support teams, with day and night shifts available.

🔸 Earn up to $32.71/hr + overtime rates
🔸 No experience needed – full on-the-job training provided. Experienced applicants are needed too!
🔸 Training, skill development and career progression opportunities
🔸 Great team environment
🔸 Amazing staff sales
🔸 Long service leave

We're looking for people who are:
✅ Reliable and ready to work as part of a team
✅ Physically fit with a positive, can-do attitude
✅ Eligible to work in New Zealand
✅ Able to pass pre-employment and ongoing drug testing

Apply now: https://www.ovation.co.nz/jobs/
or visit our plant at 113 Dunstan Rd, Gisborne to pick up an application form.

03/09/2026

October 26 bookings close this Sunday 6th September! Go to https://notebook.net.nz/my-seasonal-commitments to make a commitment for October & the 26/27 Season.

https://notebook.net.nz/my-seasonal-commitments

06/07/2026

THE GOLDEN GIRL! 🥇 Huge congratulations to Jacqueline Kennedy - 2026 Junior Women's K1 500m WORLD CHAMPION!!! Making history winning New Zealand's first-ever junior gold medal. What a champion!! So proud of you Jacqueline 🏆

Jacqueline Kennedy is the 2026 Junior Women's K1 500m World Champion!!! 🏆