H3 Group's Turf Manager, Karl Jonson shares highlights from his career and insight into maintaining FMG Stadium Waikato's world-class turf in New Zealand agricultural sector documentary series Rural Delivery. 

Karl served his apprenticeship as a groundskeeper in Canterbury and was later involved in creating cricket facilities at Lincoln. He came to Hamilton 20 years ago and has been very involved with developing and improving sports grounds in the city. He has also spent time helping to establish sound turf for cricket grounds in the United Arab Emirates and India, and rugby grounds in Japan and Samoa. 

"A lot of love and tender care goes into growing sports turf, but the techniques used differ widely with the requirements of the different sports codes" says Karl.   

As well as maintaining the turf at FMG Waikato Stadium and Seddon Park, Karl and his team of 12 also look after a number of training grounds including for The Chiefs.  

“It’s a large area to look after and a 7-day a week operation. When Super Rugby starts and cricket is still being played it’s full on and we are all flat out ensuring that our venues meet the expectations of our customers and clients,” he says. 

View the full episode here