When mulchers first began arriving in New Zealand, they were nothing short of revolutionary.
For farmers and contractors dealing with scrub, gorse, and rough country, these machines opened up a new way of working land. What once took days of burning, clearing, and heavy labour could now be tackled efficiently with a tractor and a flail mulcher. It was a turning point for land development in New Zealand.
And right there at the beginning of that shift was Mike Hamlin, founder of Agriline Limited.
Seeing the Opportunity — and the Problem
From the outset, Mike could see the immense potential of mulching technology. These machines could reclaim land, improve pasture, and dramatically increase productivity.
But he also saw something others missed.
The early mulchers arriving in New Zealand were designed for overseas conditions — European farms, lighter vegetation, and very different terrain. While they worked, they weren’t built for the harsh realities of New Zealand farming.
Heavy gorse. Uneven ground. High horsepower tractors. Demanding operators.
The result?
Machines that wore out too quickly
Designs that struggled in dense, woody material
Performance that didn’t quite match the expectations of Kiwi farmers
For Mike, “good enough” wasn’t good enough.
A Long-Term Quest for Better
Rather than accepting the limitations, Mike set out on a long journey — one that would span years — to find a mulcher that truly suited New Zealand conditions.
This wasn’t about selling what was available. It was about finding (or creating) the best possible solution.
That meant:
Testing different brands
Working closely with customers in real-world conditions
Learning exactly where machines succeeded — and where they failed
Pushing for stronger, more capable designs
It became a process of continuous improvement, driven by experience on the ground.
Discovering the Right Foundation
Eventually, that journey led to the Vigolo brand.
What stood out wasn’t just performance — it was potential.
Vigolo machines offered a strong foundation: solid engineering, robust build quality, and a design philosophy that aligned with what New Zealand operators needed. But Mike didn’t stop there.
Because even the best imported machine still needed to be adapted for local conditions.
Built for New Zealand — Not Just Imported
Working closely with Vigolo, Mike and the Agriline team went further — refining, modifying, and improving the machines to meet the specific demands of New Zealand farming.
These weren’t small tweaks. They were meaningful upgrades based on years of hands-on experience.
The result?
A mulcher that could:
Handle heavy gorse and woody vegetation
Stand up to high horsepower tractors
Deliver consistent performance across tough terrain
Last longer under real-world New Zealand conditions
In short, a machine that was no longer just imported — but purpose-built.
The Agriline Difference
Today, that legacy continues through Agriline.
What sets the business apart isn’t just the equipment — it’s the knowledge behind it.
Every recommendation, every machine, and every improvement is backed by decades of experience:
From the very first mulchers in New Zealand
Through years of testing and refinement
To the development of a truly fit-for-purpose solution
More Than Machinery
For Mike Hamlin, this has never been just about selling mulchers.
It’s about solving problems for farmers.
It’s about understanding the land, the challenges, and the expectations of New Zealand operators — and delivering equipment that meets them head-on.
Because in the end, the goal was never to find a good mulcher.
It was to create the right one.
Mike explains how his experience helped find and develop the perfect mulcher for NZ
