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 is New Zealand’s artificial turf specialist.
Our mission is to revolutionise landscapes and enhance the way kiwi’s live & play.
We are the supply, install, and maintenance specialists of artificial turfs, matched to our clients needs. That, while looking like real grass, we solve the ongoing aesthetic, economic and environmental costs associated with real lawn and other surfaces.
Our projects range from small residential lawns, to large international grade sports facilities. SmartGrass also supplies products to the landscaping and building industries.
Our headquarters is located in Christchurch, with franchises operating nationwide.
Quick stats
4180+
happy customers
100%
recyclable products
10
up to 10 year warranty
4.9+
star rating on Google
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.
Sales Team
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.
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
Installation Team
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
Join our head office team, become an installer, or start your own franchise!
Our team doesn’t stop here.
We have a network of local SmartGrass franchises and installers around the country, dedicated to the supply, installation and maintenance of SmartGrass in your area.
Proudly accredited by leading sports industry organisations
Our Story
SmartGrass’s mission is to lead the synthetic grass movement.
By providing Kiwis with functional, realistic and durable lawns we seek to improve outdoor spaces and the lifestyle of property owners. We have a commitment to quality, which is reflected in our people, service and product.
SmartGrass also has a love for all things sport, a passion shared by many New Zealanders. This is what drives us to deliver world class playing surfaces from rugby and football fields, to hockey and tennis courts.
Where it all started…
SmartGrass was founded with the aim to be the industry leader – not to be the biggest business, but to be the best. Off the back of unprecedented demand, our operations began in Canterbury and Otago in the 2010’s. With a resoundingly innovative product and professional installation system, we franchised our operations throughout New Zealand.
You’ll find our enthusiastic team to be the best in the business.
Our team has years of industry experience and have been hand-picked to deliver the best outcomes for your project.
One of the key cornerstones of SmartGrass’s capabilities is the Oceania partnership we hold with one of the largest manufacturers in the world. This gives us an unparalleled edge for product quality, innovation, value for money and supply capabilities.
Our leadership strongly believes that providing a sustainable product is an integral part of being a sustainable business. That’s why in 2019, our joint-venture with our manufacturer and over 180 research and development staff, produced the world’s first 100% recyclable artificial grass – SmartGrass Earth Series™. SmartGrass exclusively supplies this to the New Zealand market.