Here are just a few of the media pieces covering the impact of Rural Leaders’ Programme Alumni in industries and communities across the sector.
This is just a small sample; the start of the year has been exceptionally busy for our programme alumni.
Kaylene Bennett
Kaylene Bennett (Kellogg 2026)
Kaylene is a current Kellogg Scholar and like the rest of her K55 cohort is gathering data for her research into rural women’s mental health.
Kaylene featured on The Muster Hokonui. She spoke to Andy Muir on 18 March.
To help Kaylene with her research, you can complete her survey here.
Alternatively, if you wish to discuss her research, or for more detail, you can email Kaylene directly at kaylene@beachvalley.co.nz
Geoff Crawford
Geoff Crawford (Kellogg 2025)
Geoff featured in an excellent Beef Country article (pages 52-53). The article, titled ‘The fifth quarter – are farmers paid for this?’
Written by Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Geoff’s Kellogg report is unpacked to ask why farmers are not benefitting from an increase in export value for beef co-products.
Take a read of the article here.
or get your hands on a copy of Beef Country.
Kaitlin Bates
Kaitlin Bates (Kellogg 2025)
Kaitlin’s Kellogg report is covered in Dairy Country by Sarah Perriam-Lampp. The article looks at how smarter, science-based nutrition may hold answers to dairy’s next big gains in productivity and profitability.
Whitney Conder
Whitney Conder (2024 Kellogg)
Whitney featured in F+B Tech covering women in business for International Women’s Day.
In the article Whitney explains that she was drawn to horticulture through a summer job, building a 22-year career.
From hands-on orchard work to management, she values teamwork, adaptability, and learning from successes and failures. Now an Orchard Manager, Whitney focuses on planning and supporting people while staying motivated by challenges and meaningful outcomes daily.
Dave Nuku
Dave Nuku (2024 Kellogg)
Pāmu (Landcorp) has announced Dave Nuku is its new Associate Director. He joins the board as an observer from 1 March 2026.
Dave featured in a Rural News article on March 10.
Dave is currently general manager of Ngamanawa Corporation, a Māori entity with a diverse portfolio across forestry, kiwifruit, horticulture, energy, and conservation interests.
On his appointment, he says, “… I look forward to learning from the Board while also bringing my commercial and cultural perspective to support the important role in the primary sector Pāmu has.”
Malinda Wynyard
Malinda Wynyard (Kellogg 2025)
Malinda’s Kellogg report was covered by Sarah Perriam-Lampp in Dairy Country.
Malinda’s report explores., “…the fertile ground for innovation, differentiation and strategic global positioning into emerging markets.”
Take a read of the article here (Malinda’s is the third on the link)
or get your hands on a copy of Dairy Country.
Troy Hobson
Troy Hobson (2022 Kellogg)
Troy recently joined the board of Growing Future Farmers as a Trustee.
Troy has extensive governance and executive leadership experience across agribusiness, finance, Māori commercial organisations and education.
He currently serves on the Fonterra Co-operative Council and is Chair of Eastern and Central Community Trust.
Madison Pannett
Madison Pannett (2021 Kellogg)
Madison recently joined AGMARDT as Programme Delivery Lead (delivering the Common Ground project).
A strategic thinker, a pragmatist, Madison will translate strategy into action plans and lead their delivery for AGMARDT.
Take a read of a LinkedIn post announcing Madison’s new role here.
Kylie Leonard
Kylie Leonard (2023 Nuffield)
Kylie featured on U.S. Dairy Export Council’s ‘Voices from the barn’ podcast. Krysta Harden. President and CEO hosts the podcast.
Kylie talks to Krysta about her passion and pride for the dairy industry.
Take a listen/view here (scroll to down a little to Kylie’s podcast)
Dan Eb
Dan Eb (2021 Nuffield)
Dan has been named the new Deputy Leader of the Opportunity Party. Dan will stand alongside new Leader Qiulae Wong.
“I was really privileged to have both an urban and rural upbringing and those two styles of living have gone on to shape my career,” he said in a recent Herald article.
Dan founded communications agency Dirt Road Comms and Open Farms, an open farm day initiative connecting urban New Zealanders with the agriculture sector.
Dan stands in the North Auckland electorate of Kaipara ki Mahurangi.
Take a read of Dan’s bio on the Opportunity Party page here.
Tracy Brown
Tracy Brown (2020 Nuffield)
Tracy wrote in the latest CountryWide Dairy Country. It’s a positive piece covering our dairying past, present and future and where DairyNZ’s is heading, “DairyNZ is focused on ensuring the levy is our farmers’ best investment.
We take a transparent approach, investing in science, research, advocacy and farm extension for our farmers.”
Take a read of the article here.
or get your hands on a copy of Dairy Country.
Kate Scott
Kate Scott (2018 Nuffield)
Kate spoke to Bryan Gibson on a recent episode of the Farmers Weekly podcast in her capacity as CEO of HortNZ.
At 8:28 in the podcast, Kate chats about the election manifesto HortNZ has just released, which includes the key issues it hopes the next government will address.
Hugh Ritchie
Hugh Ritchie (2000 Nuffield)
Hugh Ritchie grows peas, corn and carrots among other crops for McCain on his Hawkes Bay farm.
He spoke to RNZ this week about the blow dealt to NZ vegetable growers by the announcement that McCain will close its processing plant in Hawke’s Bay.
