Growing a Legacy in Northland’s Landscapes
Northland’s rolling hills, steep gullies and mix of bush and pasture demand resilience and careful land management. Farming here means balancing production with protection. Northland Vegetation Control has built a reputation as a contractor that delivers practical results for landowners and communities.
When Chance and Rochelle Campbell bought the business in 2018 it was purely a weed spraying operation. They took on more than a name—they took on responsibility for landscapes needing careful management, weeds threatening pasture and waterways, and landowners who rely on professional support.
Since then the business has expanded well beyond spraying. Today Northland Vegetation Control works across the region from Wellsford to Cape Reinga, with projects as far south as Levin, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay. Their fleet of ten four-wheel-drive spray vehicles, a tractor and side-by-sides is a common sight. But the real measure of their work is in cleaner paddocks, healthier waterways and thriving planting projects years after completion.
The partnership between Chance and Rochelle drives the business. Chance manages operations, machinery, pricing and planning—just as likely to be repairing gear in the yard as talking a farmer through a spraying plan. Rochelle oversees finance, HR, health and safety, scheduling and client communication, while raising three children. Chance’s brother, Trale, leads planting and native restoration work, using GIS mapping to plot plantings and track survival rates.
Spraying covers thousands of hectares each season. Planting projects involve tens of thousands of trees, every one marked and monitored. Boom spraying is adjusted for stock and soil conditions. Gun spraying along drains and fence lines takes both physical effort and precision. Forestry track spraying keeps roads safe and usable. Poplars and willows stabilise steep slopes. Native species planted along waterways improve biodiversity and water quality, with follow-up spraying to protect young plants.
Specialist gear matters in Northland’s tough terrain. Custom four-wheel-drive spray trucks carry 400–2200 litre tanks, booms and hose reels to reach awkward spots. Side-by-sides transport plants and crews. GPS systems track coverage so chemicals are applied accurately.
The climate keeps pressure on. Warm summers, heavy rain and humidity mean gorse, blackberry, woolly nightshade and privet spread fast. Missing a season can set land back years. Operators often work on clay tracks where reliable machinery and skilled handling are essential.
Health and safety is treated as responsibility, not just compliance. In 2023 the company won the ACC Workplace Safety Award at the Northland Business Excellence Awards. Staff get regular blood testing to monitor agrichemical exposure, Starlink internet keeps remote teams connected and the workshop doubles as a space to relax, with a pool table and darts. Seasonal workers and backpackers help with planting and enjoy the social culture. Full-time staff turnover is low, keeping skills and local knowledge in the team.
Strong supplier partnerships back this professionalism. Nufarm has profiled the company as a contractor setting the standard for safety and quality. Farmers value operators who understand production pressures. Lifestyle block owners rely on clear advice. Councils and community groups trust that planting plans will become living projects.
Demand for skilled contractors is rising. Freshwater rules require active management of waterways and riparian zones. The ETS drives tree planting for carbon. Councils push for weed control to protect biodiversity. Contractors like Northland Vegetation Control bridge regulation and results—turning plans and targets into trees in the ground and weeds under control.
Growth has brought tough decisions on finance, staffing and equipment. Rochelle handles compliance and payroll. Chance weighs equipment purchases and pricing in a competitive sector. Margins are tight but the business is built for long-term stability. Clients return because jobs are done properly and advice is practical.
Training the next generation is part of that stability. On-the-job learning covers agrichemical safety, GPS technology, compliance paperwork and communication with farmers, councils and community groups. Each year the company hires local young people for seasonal planting work, giving them experience and income.
The Campbell children—Mackenzie 11, Finn 9 and Marlow 7—are growing up around the business, familiar faces in the office after school and mixing with seasonal staff. Full-time staff retention remains strong, creating continuity that clients value as much as the machinery or systems.
Northland’s climate is changing, regulation is tightening and communities expect higher environmental standards. New spraying technologies that reduce drift and improve accuracy are emerging and the company is ready to adopt them where they add value.
Despite growth and recognition, the business remains firmly a family operation. “Running a business in this industry that relies so much on the weather is challenging,” Rochelle says, “but with hard work and diversity we’ve built a steady year-round workload. The relationships we’ve developed with clients and employees are truly rewarding. Being self-employed gives me the flexibility to be there for the children, and Chance and I enjoy using our strengths to work together.”
Behind the machinery and systems, Northland Vegetation Control is defined by professionalism, reliability and trust. Those qualities will carry the business forward as the demands on Northland’s land continue to grow.