Four new scholars will explore global agricultural innovation and bring fresh perspectives, knowledge and connections back to New Zealand’s food and fibre sector.
With the global network of 2,100 alumni, now including 201 New Zealand scholars, Nuffield continues to develop rural leadership capability and strengthen New Zealand’s international connections across our primary industries.
At Parliament last night, Hon Todd McClay, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Forestry, Minister for Trade and Investment and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs, presented the 2027 Nuffield New Zealand Farming Scholarships to four emerging leaders, in front of Rural Leaders’ investing partners and political and industry leaders.
Over approximately 15 months, the scholars will undertake an international learning programme designed to challenge their thinking, explore innovation and agricultural best practice, and connect with the people and businesses shaping the future of food and fibre around the world.
Representing Canterbury, Wairarapa and Taranaki, the 2027 cohort brings experience across dairy, red meat, arable production, agronomy and agribusiness.
The four new 2027 Nuffield New Zealand Farming scholars are Hamish Guild, Mark Guscott, Nicole Morris and Patricia (Trish) Rankin.
Nicole Morris marks a significant milestone as the 200th Nuffield New Zealand Farming Scholar since the programme began in 1950, with Hamish Guild the 198th, Mark Guscott the 199th and Patricia Rankin the 201st.
Hamish Guild is Farm Manager of Canterbury’s High Peak Station and an advocate for productive, environmentally responsible high-country farming.
Mark Guscott is a Wairarapa farmer and agribusiness leader whose diversified business spans sheep, beef, grain, seed and tourism.
Nicole Morris is New Zealand Marketing Manager for Corteva Agriscience, bringing expertise in agronomy, agricultural research and product development.
Patricia Rankin is a Taranaki dairy farmer, governance leader and rural sector innovator, with a strong focus on building resilient farming businesses and connected rural communities.
On the announcement of the new Nuffield scholars, Kate Scott, Chair of Nuffield New Zealand and Rural Leaders, said:
“New Zealand’s food and fibre sector has enormous opportunities ahead, but realising them takes more than technical expertise. We need leaders who can look beyond their own businesses, challenge established thinking, build strong relationships and turn new ideas into action.
Nuffield gives scholars the time, networks and global perspective to do that and brings lasting value to the industries and communities they return to.”
James Ryan, CEO of Rural Leaders, added:
“New Zealand’s ambition to grow the value of our food and fibre exports requires innovation, productivity and the ability to respond to a rapidly changing world.
Nuffield helps develop leaders who can connect global insights with the realities of New Zealand farming, see opportunities differently and bring others with them. The real impact comes when that learning is shared and translated into better decisions, stronger businesses and a more resilient sector.”
The scholars will begin with a Nuffield induction before coming together again for Rural Leaders’ Value Chain Innovation Programme. This five-day programme explores key New Zealand value chains, including apples, kiwifruit and dairy, through industry panels, site visits and conversations with business leaders and founders.
In late February 2027, the cohort will join scholars from around the world at the Contemporary Scholars Conference in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The programme will also include the Global Focus Programme and independent international travel and research, giving each scholar the opportunity to investigate their chosen topic and bring new insights back to New Zealand.
The scholarship is an investment in both individual leadership and the wider sector. By encouraging scholars to question established thinking, build international networks and share their findings, Nuffield helps develop leaders equipped to contribute to a more productive, resilient and sustainable future for New Zealand’s food and fibre industries.
This programme would not be possible without the generous support Rural Leaders’ investing Partners: FMG, DairyNZ, Mackenzie Charitable Foundation, LIC, Rabobank, Farmlands, Ministry for Primary Industries, Horticulture New Zealand, and Beef and Lamb New Zealand, and Zespri.
About the 2027 Nuffield New Zealand Farming Scholars.
Patricia Rankin (Taranaki) – Dairy
Patricia Rankin is a Taranaki dairy farmer, governance leader and rural sector innovator passionate about building resilient farming businesses and stronger rural communities.
She is Chair of the Dairy Women’s Network Trust Board, supporting more than 14,000 women in farming, and a farmer-elected director and Risk Committee Chair at Taranaki Vet Centre.
Patricia is also CEO of GAPA (Farming) Ltd and leads NZ Rural, a consultancy focused on governance, facilitation and rural leadership. A 2019 Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme scholar and Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year, she brings together practical farming experience, strategic thinking and community leadership to help the sector navigate change and embrace future opportunities.
Nicole Morris (Canterbury) – Agronomy
Nicole Morris is New Zealand Marketing Manager for Corteva Agriscience. With a background in pasture agronomy, agricultural research and product development, she works across pastoral, arable and horticultural systems to support productive, sustainable farming.
Nicole holds a Master of Agricultural Science from Lincoln University and completed the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme in 2021. She received the Animal & Plant Health New Zealand Emerging Leader Award in 2024 and serves as Secretary and Council Committee Member of the Agronomy Society of New Zealand.
Passionate about evidence-based solutions, Nicole champions collaboration, innovation and stronger industry capability for New Zealand farmers.
Mark Guscott (Wairarapa) – Sheep, Beef, Arable and Agribusiness
Mark Guscott is a Wairarapa farmer, agribusiness leader and director of Glen Eden Farms, a diversified food production business spanning sheep, beef, grain, seed and tourism.
Since 2004, Mark has grown the business into a more resilient and profitable enterprise through diversification and investment in people. He is a director of Atkins Ranch, which exports lamb to North American supermarket customers, and chairs Heavy Lambs Ltd and the Rua Māhanga Floodplain Management Committee.
A Lincoln University agricultural commerce graduate, Mark recently completed Rural Leaders’ Value Chain Innovation Programme. He is passionate about farm profitability, market development and creating a stronger future for New Zealand agriculture.
Hamish Guild (Canterbury) – Sheep, Beef and Deer
Hamish Guild is Farm Manager of High Peak Station in Canterbury, where he combines strategic farm management with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
A passionate advocate for New Zealand’s high country, Hamish champions the balance between profitable farming, responsible land stewardship and long-term resilience. His environmental leadership has been recognised with the Supreme Award at the Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards, the Gordon Stephenson Trophy and appointment as National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing.
Hamish is also an experienced industry speaker, sharing practical insights on sustainable farming, biodiversity, environmental management and the future of New Zealand agriculture.
For more information about the Nuffield New Zealand Farming Scholarships, visit https://ruralleaders.co.nz/nuffield
