With 8 years of industry experience, Jack is the inventor behind New Zealand’s best-selling landscaping grass, the SmartGrass Earth Series. He oversees manufacturing and is always looking for innovative ways to drive the industry forward. Jack lives and breathes SmartGrass—driven by a mission to create happy customers while developing outstanding team members and future leaders. Even with his hands full, he still loves getting involved with clients and witnessing the incredible transformations SmartGrass delivers.

Who we are
SmartGrass – The Benchmark in Artificial Turf
You deserve an outdoor space you can truly enjoy—without the hassle. Nearly a decade ago, we noticed that artificial turf hadn’t really evolved much in the last thirty years, and most options still looked like the old, worn-out “astro turf” people wanted to avoid. At the same time, there was huge demand for a premium product that not only looked great but was installed with care. That’s why we created SmartGrass.
SmartGrass has reinvented artificial grass with the Earth Series range—a new generation of turf that looks and feels remarkably like natural grass, drains five times faster, and is fully recyclable. But a great product alone isn’t enough. Fifty percent of a flawless result is the product you choose; the other fifty percent is how it’s installed. To make sure every project meets our high standards, we manage the entire process end-to-end with our in-house teams.
Today, SmartGrass is proudly New Zealand-owned and truly nationwide, with branches, warehouses, and dedicated crews in Christchurch, Auckland, and Wellington. We’ve already helped over 8,200 clients transform their outdoor spaces—from family backyards to school sports courts—by tailoring each solution. When you work with us, we come to your site, discuss your vision, provide clear pricing, and handle every detail of the installation. It’s that personal, start-to-finish care that sets us apart.
Through it all, our biggest strength is our people. We’re passionate about one thing: enhancing your enjoyment of your outdoor space where you can live, play, and relax.
Ready to see the difference for yourself? Meet our client-facing team below, and let us show you how SmartGrass can bring your dream landscape to life.
Quick stats
8140+
happy customers
100%
recyclable products
10
up to 10 year warranty
200+
5 star Google Reviews
Management Team

Ashley Pohio
Chief Operations Officer
Ashley oversees SmartGrass’s nationwide operations and has been instrumental in expanding our installation teams across New Zealand. With a BA from Canterbury University, she brings a sharp focus on delivering exceptional results for every client. Outside of work, she loves travelling and is an avid reader, tackling over 100 books a year.

Kerry Forde
General Manager – Commercial
Kerry, originally from the Deep South (and a fan of a good cheese roll), is our client-focused GM, helping schools, sports facilities, and commercial projects across New Zealand unlock their landscape potential with SmartGrass. Well-connected and known for his dedication, Kerry is always willing to move mountains to make a project happen. Outside of work, he enjoys running and travelling, having worked all over the globe.

Andrea Towgood
National Operations Manager
Andrea is your go-to for scheduling, project management, and stock requirements at SmartGrass. She’s dedicated to ensuring every client has the best trade experience possible. With an eye for detail and a commitment to excellence, Andrea ensures SmartGrass’s processes remain at the cutting edge of product and project delivery.
Sales & Design Team

Hannah Monk
SmartGrass Consultant
Hannah is a dedicated SmartGrass Consultant, specialising in guiding schools and designing sports courts. A former teacher, Hannah ensures every project is tailored to achieve great results. She also oversees a variety of other installations, providing expert advice and a keen eye for detail. When she’s not on the job, Hannah enjoys travelling and surfing.

Tom Davie
SmartGrass Consultant
Tom is a seasoned SmartGrass Consultant with a solid background in both marketing and sales. His proficiency in client engagement and knack for strategic thinking make him a key part of our team. Tom spends a lot of time outside of work looking at grass as well – both on the golf course and the football field. Not one to sit still, Tom has run the London Marathon, fundraising for Children with Cancer UK, and is currently training for the iconic Coast to Coast multi-sport event. His sporting leadership extends to captaining Western AFC’s Men’s football team for almost a decade. At SmartGrass, Tom expertly combines his professional acumen and personal passions to ensure clients get the best solution for their needs.

Anna Reese-Jones
SMARTGRASS CONSULTANT
Anna, born and raised in Christchurch, made the move to Wellington and instantly fell in love with the vibrant city. With a background in sales and industrial design, she brings a creative and strategic approach to her work. Outside the office, Anna enjoys running with her energetic Greyhound-Border Collie cross. Her favourite meal is a classic Kiwi BBQ, and she’s always up for a challenge when it comes to her hidden talent—table soccer

Matt Carruthers
SMARTGRASS CONSULTANT
Matt’s working life journey has taken him from sales and event management to sports marketing, all the way to beautiful New Zealand. Originally from the UK, he arrived in 2015, fell in love with the country, and never looked back. A former semi-professional footballer turned golf addict, he’s constantly ticking off courses from his bucket list, with Kauri Cliffs and Wairakei Golf Sanctuary as current favourites. Matt thrives on connecting with people and helping others.

Anna Easton
Customer Care
As the head of Customer Care, Anna looks after accounts, invoicing, aftercare, and maintenance services, ensuring quick responses and clear communication. Working closely with the sales and operations teams, Anna’s goal is to deliver transparent processes and top-notch support at every stage. When she’s not busy multitasking, she enjoys boating on lakes, waterskiing, and travelling.
Installation Team Leaders

Glen
INSTALLATION TEAM
Glen’s the man who makes things happen. He oversees SmartGrass Installations and has personally completed many hundreds to date himself.
Glen has been with the business since its inception and uses his expertise to train our new employees and franchisees.
Outside of SmartGrass Glen enjoys spending time with the family, mountain biking, jet skiing and playing rugby.

Hayden
INSTALLATION TEAM
Hayden is one of our experienced team leaders in Wellington. Hayden brings with him years of expertise from the civil construction industry as well as excellent knowledge of the nuances of working in Wellington.

Connal
INSTALLATION TEAM
From Ireland, Connal fell in love with New Zealand when he arrived seven years ago. After six years in Auckland he moved to Christchurch after spending a week in the city on a snowboarding trip. In his spare time he makes anything with wheels go faster and loves hitting the slopes with his snowboard.

Hayden
INSTALLATION TEAM
The second Hayden from our Installation team in Wellington is a keen golfer and enjoys a round on weekends. During summer, he loves spending time with his family waterskiing.

Liam
INSTALLATION TEAM
Liam is a member of our Christchurch installation team and works hard to make sure that every installation exceeds the expectations of our customers.

Jackson
INSTALLATION TEAM
Jackson, a member of our Installation team in Christchurch, brings a can-do attitude and excels in a team environment. In his spare time, Jackson is a Canterbury Rugby referee and a go-kart enthusiast.

You?
The SmartGrass Team
SmartGrass is growing and are always hiring outstanding people!
Our commitment to you goes beyond our central team.
Across New Zealand, our trusted network of local SmartGrass franchises and installers ensures that from supply and installation to ongoing maintenance, you receive consistent, high-quality service right in your neighbourhood.

Why choose SmartGrass?
We Care.
At SmartGrass, our clients are at the heart of everything we do. You invest in your outdoor space because you want lasting quality that enhances your lifestyle and property—and you choose us because you know that while many artificial turf solutions fall short in just a few years, we build for the long haul.
As specialists in artificial turf—it’s all we do—we focus on creating installations that look natural from day one and stay looking that way for years. Our meticulous base preparation and expert craftsmanship ensure your SmartGrass looks stunning and is built to last.
We’re committed to you long term. Our dedicated aftercare team is always on hand to support you to answer questions or assist with maintenance and repairs.


Our clients choose SmartGrass because it is the most natural looking and feeling artificial turf in New Zealand
SmartGrass’s Earth Series™ not only looks like real grass, it is totally different to other fake grass with benefits like superior drainage and recyclability. Backed by a genuine 10-year warranty and delivered by our in-house specialist installers, you can rest easy knowing your investment is protected.
With nearly a decade of expertise, we know that true quality in artificial turf is a specialist gig. In an industry full of unmet promises and short-term fixes, we promise to be a partner who does it right the first time—ensuring your outdoor space not only looks exceptional on day one but continues to add value and enjoyment for years to come.
Our values
So what are we all about?
At SmartGrass, our three core values are more than just words. We call them ‘our DNA’ because they are the essence of who we are, ingrained in everything we do. They are vital to our success and the lasting relationships we build with our customers.
#1. Exceed expectations
We are driven to exceed expectations for our customers and for one another.
#2. We own the outcomes
We take full responsibility for our work and hold ourselves accountable for the success of your project.


#3. Leading the Way
We don’t just follow trends—we create them. Every team member is empowered to step up and lead the way, ensuring we consistently remain the best in the business.