MEDIA RELEASE 27 July 2016
New Zealand, Thank You For Your Trust
Kiwi’s, for a fifth successive year, have voted Masport into the top spot of the 2016 Reader’s Digest Most Trusted
Brands award, in the Gardening Equipment Division.
Masport’s General Manager Steve Hughes says “Each win humbles us more – I couldn’t be more delighted! Masport may ship
to 46 counties, but our proud 105 year old kiwi roots remain unmoving and serving the generations of New Zealanders who
buy our product and continue to vote us into this position of trust remains focal.
However, things have not always gone so smoothly during the course of history! The prototype for the first mower was
produced in great secrecy and had a disastrous launch”, says Hughes.
“It was assembled in a blackened shed offsite at a secret location. When the mower was finished the team packed it up to
take it across the road to put into production. But while on the way there, it turns out that some of the bolts weren’t
secured, it fell apart on the street and was run over by a truck!”
Despite this setback Masport went on to produce the first commercial push mower and motor mower in New Zealand during
the 1930s. It now sells more than 200 types of lawnmower – 80,000 per year alone are exported around the world.
Hughes goes on to say “We will never take our customers for granted. Masport with its wonderful team of staff all work
to steadfastly provide quality products that are ever-changing to meet the needs of consumers, coupled with continually
striving for better service. Last but not least - thanks - again!”