Here are just a few of the media pieces covering the impact of Rural Leaders’ Programme Alumni in industries and communities across the sector.
Caroline Batley
Caroline Batley (Kellogg 2022)
Caroline Batley recently completed two years as a Trustee of the Waikato Farmers Trust. In 2025 Caroline was also appointed the new Chairperson of the St Peter’s Owl Farm Governance Committee.
You can read more about Caroline’s role with Waikato Farmers Trust here.
Nathan Guy
Nathan Guy (Kellogg 1999) was appointed Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE) late last year. He replaces Hamish Marr (2019 Nuffield Scholar) in the role.
He featured in a recent Rural News article in his capacity as SATE, saying the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India is a good deal for the country.
Lisa Portas
Lisa Portas (Nuffield 2025, Kellogg 2019) has become Associate Trustee AGMARDT, replacing Phil Weir (2020 Nuffield Scholar).
Wairarapa-based, Lisa has over a decade of experience working in agriculture, rural businesses and supply chains in New Zealand and internationally.
Take a read of this Farmers Weekly article on Lisa and the AGMARDT appointment.
Dani Darke
Dani Darke (2025 Nuffield Scholar) and her husband Anthony recently spoke at B+LNZ Tasman Farming for Profit Field Day. They are sheep and beef farmers from the King County, farming Coopworth ewes and Fresian bulls.
Dani is a director for Ballance Agri-Nutrients and is currently finishing off a Nuffield Scholarship with a focus on how we sell our beef to the world. Dani is passionate about rural communities and is interested in making our farms more profitable and our communities stronger.
Michael Tayler
Michael Tayler (2012 Nuffield Scholar) currently serves as chair of United Wheatgrowers New Zealand. Based in Temuka, the organisation manages grower levies, insurance schemes, and industry representation.
Michael featured in a Farmers Weekly article in January (and on TVNZ) about hail-affected cropping farmers counting losses in the millions after a series of extreme hail events, the worst recorded by United Wheatgrowers.
Three major hail events hit Canterbury farmers over the Christmas and New Year period, stripping crops. Michael said on average one hail event would affect 300 to 400 hectares. But from these events, 71 claims had been made accounting for almost 5,000ha of wheat.
Kate Scott
Kate Scott (2018 Nuffield Scholar), Rural Leaders’ Chair and HortNZ CEO, appeared in Hort News recently. Kate reflected on the achievements the sector has seen over the last year, especially apples and kiwifruit.
Regarding apple exports pushing past the billion dollar mark, Kate says, “I think that is testament to apple growers, particularly if they have been recovering from the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle,” she says.
Kylie Leonard
Kylie Leonard (2023 Nuffield Scholar) appeared in Farmers weekly recently. Kylie’s Nuffield research explored the effects of ESG on farm finance and this was central to the article.
Kylie travelled widely on her Nuffield New Zealand Farming Scholarship, and gained new perspectives on farming systems, ESG and the role farmers play in strong, resilient communities.
Take a read of the full Farmers Weekly article here.
