Jack founded SmartGrass after realising a gap in the NZ market for high quality turf. He is overall responsible for the strategy, direction and expansion of the company.
He is also passionate about anything that flies, floats or drives!
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
Meet our Managment Team
Kerry Forde
General Manager
Kerry is SmartGrass’s GM. His role is to oversee our people & projects and ensure all clients receive exceptional outcomes with their new SmartGrass. Kerry brings a wealth of experience to the business having previously lead businesses in aviation, banking, franchising, and fuels both in New Zealand and the Middle East.
John McKenzie
Marketing & Communications Manager
As SmartGrass’s Marketing & Communications Manager John is responsible for developing and implementing marketing and communication strategies to increase brand awareness, generate leads, and drive sales. John has built his working life around delivering extraordinary experiences and genuinely wanting to make a difference through various communication, media, marketing and event roles.
Outside of work John can be found with his family or on skis on snow, on a tennis court or on a bike.
Ashley Pohio
Operations Manager
Ashley is one of our SmartGrass consultants who helps our clients build amazing spaces.
Ashley is a creative thinker and has an extraordinary eye for detail, ensuring the complete satisfaction of our clients.
Outside of SmartGrass she’s known to read over 100 books a year, and enjoys traveling and paragliding.
Cassidy Weyers
Customer Care
Cassidy is the first port of call for customer support, based at our head office.
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 ran the 2020 London Marathon, fundraising for Children with Cancer UK. 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.
Glen Kinsman
Christchurch INSTALLATION MANAGER
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.
Dallas
Installation Team Leader
Dallas is the man on the ground ensuring that every installation looks incredible, and exceeds SmartGrass standards. His role takes him around the country installing and overseeing large projects and assisting our franchisees.
Outside of SmartGrass Dallas is an up and coming musician, playing electric guitar in his band. He also enjoys channeling his creativity into building cool things.
Liam
Installation Specialist
Liam is a member of our Christchurch installation team and works hard to make sure that every installation exceeds the expectations of our customers.
Hayden
INSTALLATION MANAGER
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.
Jeremy
INSTALLATION MANAGER
Jeremy has enjoyed moving from civil construction work to more personal and rapid transformation projects at SmartGrass.
Spike
INSTALLER
Spike loves the outdoor life with SmartGrass, having come from indoor carpet laying.
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.
500+ projects completed for education, sporting and commercial organisations; including:
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.