Steed admitted one charge of theft by a person in a special relationship and was sentenced in the Dargaville District Court to 12 months' home detention -- a sentence Mr Suckling felt was "pretty light" given the extent of her offending and the gross abuse of trust.
He has run the business for 25 years and employs eight staff.
"She got off very lightly and she shouldn't slip out of it. It nearly finished me and my family off after 40 years in business, especially from someone you thought you could trust," said the 68-year-old.
Steed, 44, stole money between January 2013 and December 2014 by initially paying herself $300 more in wages which later increased to $1000 over 89 transactions.
AgTech Industries had set up a separate account from which wages were paid by Steed each week and she Theft shocks employer handled everything from banking to the company accounts.
Her offending was discovered by Mr Suckling last December. He called his accountant, who confirmed the thefts.
Steed's employment was immediately terminated and police were notified.
"In hindsight, I should have constantly checked the accounts but she was so clever she falsified the accounts to balance the books.
"Our GP [gross profit] was dropping but neither me nor our accountant could make out why. The business managed to survive because we had reasonably good years," he said.
Mr Suckling said his business was very lenient, accommodating and flexible with Steed, who would have numerous days off to attend to her family matters.
"All these little things were at a cost to us, but due to the level of trust we had with her, this seemed like the normal thing to do."
There were instances, he said, where he loaned her money and now realised she had probably paid him back with funds she stole from the business.
He said it would take time for his business to recover but his company would continue to trade.
The school leaver hired to replace Steed is being trained by other employees.
Steed told the court she stole due to financial pressures but said she gave most of the stolen money to her children to spend.
Judge Greg Davis said in the absence of an audit Steed was able to commit a prolonged and systematic deceit of a small and rural business in Northland.
In assessing the amount Steed should repay, Judge Davis said he was bound by the Court of Appeal which said reparation should be realistic and should not involve bonding an offender over a long period.
