Green Means Go for Vuletich Contracting
Located at Pakotai about halfway between Dargaville and Whangarei, Vuletich Contracting has become a trusted name in Northland agriculture, offering an extensive range of services that covers cultivation, drilling, spraying, baling, bulk silage harvesting, mulching, fencing, planting, haymaking and the supply of grass and maize silage.
Their central location in the Mangakahia Valley makes them a convenient and reliable choice for rural communities stretching from Kaipara to Whangarei and as far north as the Far North.
The business was established just over eight years ago and has steadily grown its customer base across the region. Eden Vuletich, who owns and operates the business alongside his parents Warren and Diane, says that balance has been a key part of their success.
“We believe we are continuously expanding because we are not too big and not too small. Importantly, we pay attention to detail turn up when we say we will, hopefully exceed customer expectations and charge a fair price for the job. We also have a hard‑working, dedicated and experienced team, some who have been with us for more than five years.”
During the peak of the season, the team numbers 12 and each person plays an important role in keeping things running smoothly. Warren, with his extensive background in automotive engineering takes on the role of head mechanic, carrying out up to 90 percent of the routine maintenance and repairs on their machinery. This is a reassurance to farmers who value quick responses to mechanical issues, knowing breakdowns are dealt with immediately and downtime is kept to a minimum. Warren’s knowledge extends beyond just fixing equipment - he also provides training on the go, teaching team members how to assist with repairs and maintenance so the workload can be shared when needed.
Diane, meanwhile, is described by Eden as the “Chief Gopher”, a title earned from her ability to juggle countless jobs in a day. From delivering fuel and collecting parts to preparing meals for the crew, she ensures everything keeps moving, often dispensing a few sharp words when required to keep everyone focused. It’s a family‑driven work ethic that sets the tone for the whole business.
The Vuletich family’s connection to the land in Pakotai stretches back more than two decades. When they first arrived they managed their own farm, learning first‑hand the importance of having access to dependable contractors. Eden grew up with a clear understanding that timing in agriculture can make or break a season, and that those who turn up when they say they will quickly become valued partners in the community. That understanding is now woven into every aspect of Vuletich Contracting’s work.
Eden’s own pathway into contracting was shaped by experience gained far from home. Around five years ago he spent several seasons working in Western Australia’s wheat belt, a region known for its large‑scale cropping operations. Long hours seeding, spraying and harvesting cereals were part of life but so was the discipline of working to strict schedules and making the most of every weather break.
“Over there, the paddocks seem to go on forever and the scale means you have to be organised, because any delay can be costly,” Eden says. The experience gave him valuable technical skills, from operating large machinery to troubleshooting mechanical issues in the field. It also allowed him to build the capital needed to return to New Zealand and go into business with his parents on a 50/50 basis. That foundation of overseas experience still influences the way Vuletich Contracting operates today, with a focus on efficiency, professionalism and investment in reliable gear.
That investment is clear in their tractor fleet. The Vuletich family had long been familiar with the Deutz‑Fahr brand from their own farming days, valuing its reliability. Today, as contractors they run ten Deutz‑Fahr tractors ranging from 100 to 250 horsepower. This includes two 7250 TTV flagships, a 630 TTV, two 6215s, a 6219 C‑shift, a single M620, an Agrotron 150, an Agrotron 135 and a smaller 5130 TTV. Eden says the mix ensures they always have the right size machine for the job, whether it’s precision drilling, heavy cultivation or hauling silage.
“All our larger and later‑model tractors are 50kph capable, meaning we can travel between jobs quickly. The units with TTV stepless transmissions are easy to drive, but more importantly they let us adjust speeds precisely to suit the job, so we get increased output and efficiency. This is unlike a conventional power shuttle‑powershift tractor, where you can find yourself stuck between two speeds - one too fast and one too slow,” he says.
Fuel economy is another factor. Eden notes that Deutz‑Fahr tractors consistently use 15 to 20 percent less fuel than other brands they have trialled. Keeping the fleet to a single brand also has operational advantages.
“It’s easier for our operators to understand the controls, especially when they’re moving between tractors. The colour coding makes it clear - orange for throttle, transmission, 4WD and diff, green for linkage, yellow for PTO and blue for remotes. The roomy cabs give great visibility and are comfortable for a big day’s work.”
The tractors, along with much of their other machinery, are supplied and supported by Power Farming Northland in Whangarei. Eden is quick to praise the backup they receive from long‑time Service Manager Ian Drake, known locally as “Zoom”. “Zoom often talks us through any issues over the phone, which keeps us moving,” he says. On the sales side, Ed Harvey has been a steady supporter of the business for years, living not too far away and always willing to offer advice.
“They really are a good team.”
In addition to contracting for others, the Vuletich operation has over the past three years expanded into growing its own feed for sale. By progressively purchasing and leasing pockets of land, they have been able to produce silage and grazing feed that can be sold directly to farmers. Their grass silage is typically made from high‑quality ryegrass and clover pastures, while their maize crops are grown for high‑energy supplementary feed. Over the quieter winter months, this land is also used for grazing cattle. One of the biggest benefits of this expansion has been the ability to employ staff on a full‑time, year‑round basis.
“It’s hard to attract good people to contracting if you can only employ them for eight or nine months of the year. We’ve been trying to solve this problem; this is one of the ways we’re doing it. We now have four working full‑time, plus three seasonal staff,” Eden says.
A notable recent addition to their line‑up is a McHale Fusion 3 Plus baler. Equipped with on‑board scales and moisture‑reading technology, it can print out a job summary detailing the average bale weight and dry matter content.
“It really takes the guesswork out of it for farmers - we’re pretty excited about our new baler,” Eden says.
At busy times of the year the operation runs around the clock, with the team working long hours to make the most of favourable weather windows. In Northland, those windows can be short and unpredictable. Heavy rain can quickly halt progress, but fine spells can dry paddocks almost overnight, and when that happens it’s all hands on deck.
“Weather is one of our biggest challenges; we have to be prepared to put in the hours when conditions are right,” says Eden. The team’s willingness to respond quickly has helped them build strong, long‑term relationships with farmers, many of whom come back season after season. Much of their work now comes through word‑of‑mouth referrals, a sign of the trust they’ve built in the community.
The commitment to service is backed by a business philosophy that values relationships as much as results. Eden knows that every paddock they work in belongs to someone who relies on it for their livelihood. The Vuletich team takes pride in leaving a job well done, whether it’s a few hectares of hay cut for a lifestyle block or hundreds of bales of maize silage harvested for a large dairy unit.
“At the end of the day, our name is on the work. We want to be the contractor people can rely on year after year.”
Looking ahead, the focus remains on steady, sustainable growth. Expanding the range of services is always on the table, but Eden is mindful not to grow so fast that the quality of work or personal touch is lost. For now, the emphasis is on making the most of the solid foundations they’ve built - reliable machinery, skilled staff and strong relationships with customers.
For farmers in Northland looking for a dependable, honest and capable team, Vuletich Contracting continues to live by the philosophy that “green means go” - not just a nod to their Deutz‑Fahr fleet, but a reflection of their readiness to get the job done, whatever the season brings.