There are some people whose influence is difficult to measure, not because it is small, but because it reaches so far and so quietly into the lives, businesses and families they have worked alongside.
Matthew Pickering is one of those people.
Honouring a Career Built on Legacy and Succession
As Matthew steps back from his formal role with Rural Coach, it is fitting to acknowledge not only his contribution to the business, but the legacy of coaching, leadership and succession planning he has helped shape, protect and grow over many years.
Rural Coach’s approach to succession planning is unique in the market. Grounded in a coaching philosophy and strongly influenced by Stephen Covey’s principles of living, loving, learning and leaving a legacy, it has never simply been about transferring assets. At its heart, it has always been about people, relationships, clarity, leadership and the careful transition of a family’s business, heritage, lifetime’s work and legacy across generations.
Building and Growing the Rural Coach Philosophy
That approach has become one of Rural Coach’s greatest strengths and a significant competitive advantage. It is also something Matthew has treasured and grown since the early days of Coach Approach Ltd, founded by Simon Gibson in 2008.
Matthew joined Simon in 2009, beginning his work with two Canterbury farming families as they took their first steps into the succession planning process. Since then, the process has continued to evolve with every new client, every family conversation, every complex decision and every lesson learned. What began as a coaching-led response to a clear need in rural New Zealand has become a market-recognised independent facilitation process that works.
In 2016, Matthew and co-Director John Redpath guided the evolution to Coach Approach Rural, while remaining deeply committed to honouring Simon’s lifetime of work in coaching and leadership development. That commitment has continued through to what we now know as Rural Coach.
The Conversations That Changed Generations
It is impossible to know how many individuals, families and businesses Matthew has had a profound impact on. Farming families across New Zealand have trusted him with some of the most important and difficult conversations they will ever have. Conversations about fairness, responsibility, ownership, leadership, letting go, stepping up and protecting family relationships while making sound business decisions.
For many families, Matthew has helped create the space where those conversations could happen safely, honestly and constructively.
Leading Through Belief in People
Those of us who have had the privilege of working alongside Matthew have also benefited enormously from his commitment and devotion to Rural Coach, and to each of us as individuals. During his stewardship, Rural Coach has more than doubled in size and reputation. He has created space for new team members, supported them through their induction, and continued to invest in their personal and professional development.
Matthew has an unwavering belief in the potential that sits within people. When he sees that potential, and the effort to achieve it, he willingly invests what is required to help that person succeed. Just as importantly, he has created opportunities for others to grow by purposefully stepping aside and making room for that growth to occur.
That is leadership in its truest form.
Growing Leaders and Developing Ignite
For many years Matthew facilitated Rural Coach’s leadership development programme, firstly through Navigational Conversations and then through the development of Ignite Rural Leadership, our flagship rural leadership programme. Ignite reflects so much of what Matthew values: self-awareness, accountability, communication, personal growth, practical leadership and the courage to keep learning.
As part of his own succession planning, Matthew has intentionally trained and supported new facilitators to take over responsibility for maintaining and growing Ignite. In doing so, he has again demonstrated the very principles he has encouraged others to live by — prepare well, create opportunity, trust others, and leave the work stronger than you found it.
More Than a Process — A Way of Thinking
Matthew’s contribution has never been limited to process or structure. His strength has been in the way he brings coaching discipline, commercial insight, deep rural understanding and genuine care together. He has helped Rural Coach remain clear that coaching is not an add-on to what we do. It is a core competency. It is part of our DNA.
He has also modelled a lifelong commitment to learning. Many of Rural Coach’s foundational tools, frameworks and ways of thinking have been influenced by Matthew’s research, reflection and willingness to keep improving the work. His intellectual capacity, work ethic and curiosity have helped shape not just what we deliver, but how we think.
Family, Community and Contribution
Beyond the work, Matthew’s values have always been evident. Family, community, balance, contribution and legacy are all important parts of who he is.
Matthew and his wife Hilary have returned to live in Gisborne after 28 years in Taranaki, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty. For Matthew, Gisborne is home. It is where his banking career began with the Rural Bank in 1986, and returning to the district has brought with it both a sense of gratitude and a strong desire to contribute locally.
As Matthew has said, the land and its people gave him an incredible start to his career. He now sees it as a privilege to commit his skills and experiences for the benefit of Tairāwhiti.
A Life of Service
That sense of service is not new. Alongside his professional life, Matthew has been heavily involved in the governance and operations of water polo and surf lifesaving, and is a previous winner of the New Zealand Surf Lifeguard of the Year award. His community involvement, together with four life-threatening incidents, has given him a diverse and balanced perspective on life, opportunity and what really matters.
When asked what he stands for, Matthew’s answer is simple and telling: “my family, the beach, New Zealand and helping those who may or may not be aware of their potential.”
It is a statement that captures so much of who he is.
The Next Chapter
While we know stepping back from Rural Coach will not be easy — particularly given the many relationships and connections built over such a long period — we also know this next stage will be approached with the same thoughtfulness and intention he has encouraged in others. There will no doubt be more time for Hilary, family, the beach and community, but also continued opportunities for Matthew to contribute in ways that are meaningful to him and valuable to those around him.
Matthew leaves an extraordinary legacy within Rural Coach. A legacy of coaching. A legacy of leadership. A legacy of succession done well. A legacy of people being seen for their potential and supported to grow into it.
Thank You, Matthew
On behalf of Rural Coach, our team, our clients and the many rural families who may never fully realise the extent of his influence, we say thank you.
Thank you, Matthew, for your vision, your commitment, your generosity and your belief in people.
Your contribution will continue to be felt in Rural Coach for many years to come.
P.S. We will also miss your remarkable ability to move a conversation from almost any topic to Tesla. That takes real talent!
