James Doherty is so popular in his local Drummond & Etheridge dealership that they consistently receive requests from customers asking for him to work on their machines.
As a tractor-obsessed farm kid from the South Island of New Zealand, the 2026 New Zealand John Deere Agriculture & Turf Service Technician of the Year always dreamed of working for a dealership, and in 2017 that became a reality.
During his last year of school, James was employed for one day a week at Drummond & Etheridge Rolleston, and after graduating, he moved into a fulltime mixed role in workshop and parts.
"I loved every second of my initial work experience and progressed from the mixed role to a heavy diesel apprenticeship, and I'm now considered a senior mechanic," James said.
"Working for Drummond & Etheridge has taught me how to manage customer relations and my product knowledge has grown exponentially from working at the forefront of John Deere's latest developments."
In his role as Field Technician, James is dedicated to not only service and repair but also to getting to know the farmer and helping to optimise their equipment.
Drummond & Etheridge Rolleston Integrated Solutions Manager, Liam Taplin, said it's his exceptional product knowledge and outstanding attitude that prompts customers to ask for James by name.
"This level of trust comes from the way James prepares thoroughly before attending any job and his proactive approach to adding value for the customer," Liam said.
"I have personally received multiple texts and phone calls on weekends where James has identified opportunities to help customers improve their AMS systems, whether it be solutions, troubleshooting, or recommending software updates to unlock new capabilities that could benefit them.
"His journey from school into the industry and the growth of his career is inspiring, and would strongly resonate with students considering a future in this field. James truly deserves this recognition for his dedication and professionalism."
Much like the model John Deere collection that's still a favourite from his childhood, James' fascination with how machines work remains unchanged.
Asked whether he has a favourite John Deere model, James said he's particularly keen on 8R Tractors and X9 Harvesters, but it's the machine he has at home that will always have his heart.
"I have to stick to my guns and say my old 2850 (utility tractor) wins."