Kellogg Blog & News Archives | Page 2 of 5

Emily Walker – making an impact in New Zealand agribusiness.

From Engineer to Agri-Strategist: Emily Walker’s Path to Making an Impact in New Zealand’s Agribusiness Sector

A Canterbury native, Emily Walker’s story so far, has been marked by a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and leadership—values that are now shaping her efforts to play a role in transforming New Zealand’s agricultural sector.

The Spark: A Mackenzie Charitable Foundation Scholarship.

In 2022, Emily was awarded the Mackenzie Charitable Foundation Scholarship, a pivotal moment in her career. As a structural engineer with a Master’s in Engineering Management, she had already established herself in the engineering world. However, a growing interest in agribusiness led her to explore ways to combine her technical background with her passion for supporting sustainable farming practices.

“The Mackenzie Scholarship gave me the financial support and confidence to explore my ideas further on the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme,” Emily says. “Without it, my pivot into the agri-sector would not have happened the way it has.”

Emily’s Kellogg research, asked a key question: Does an evidence-based approach to decision-making improve outcomes for small-scale agribusinesses in New Zealand? The research aimed to identify ways that evidence-based frameworks could enhance decision-making, particularly in the face of the complex environmental, social, and economic challenges farmers face.

The findings of her research were clear: there is strong demand for better decision-making tools that help farmers evaluate and balance these impacts. Key recommendations included maintaining a deep understanding of the operating environment, aligning decisions with core values, and implementing multi-disciplinary boards to support decision-making.

The Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme and a Business Launch.

The Mackenzie Charitable Foundation Scholarship enabled Emily to participate in the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme. Despite holding down a demanding full-time job, she took leave to complete the programme. The skills and confidence Emily gained during Kellogg were instrumental in the launch of Tupu Strategic, a consultancy offering strategic and governance advisory services to agribusinesses.

Emily’s work with Tupu Strategic is grounded in the principles of her research. “I’ve integrated what I learned in Kellogg into every aspect of my work,” Emily says. “The decision-making framework is now a core part of my strategy work, governance roles, and client engagements. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how these tools can help drive better outcomes for the sector.”

Expanding Reach: Governance and Podcasting.

Since completing the Kellogg Programme, Emily’s career has rapidly expanded. In 2024, she became an Associate Trustee for both Wai Wānaka and AgResearch, roles that allow her to grow her governance skills while contributing to the strategic direction of key organisations in the food and fibre sector.

But it’s not just about boardrooms and business strategy. Emily also co-hosts and produces the Ag in Conversation podcast, a platform she describes as her most impactful project yet.

The podcast provides a space for open, thoughtful discussions on some of agriculture’s most pressing issues, ranging from rural women’s mental health to global trade agreements. By bringing the “kitchen table” conversations of rural communities into a global spotlight, Ag in Conversation aims to educate both those inside and outside the sector about the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand agriculture.

“We aim to scale impact through education,” Emily explains. “By diving into complex issues and sharing them with a wider audience, we can foster deeper understanding and encourage more informed conversations, both in the sector and beyond.”

Balancing it all.

In addition to her professional commitments, Emily is also a farmer and mother to a one-year-old daughter. Life on the farm in Tarras, in Central Otago, brings its own set of challenges, but she embraces the necessary juggling act.

“Balancing the podcast, client work, governance roles, farm life, and being a mum is definitely a challenge, but each part brings its own rewards,” she says. “The diversity of my experiences—whether it’s from the farm, the podcast, or my governance work—helps me grow and make a bigger impact in everything I do.”

Looking Ahead.

Looking to the future, Emily’s ambition is clear. She plans to continue her leadership development and expand her influence in the agribusiness sector through both governance and education. She is committed to creating a lasting impact by fostering evidence-based decision-making practices, supporting rural communities, and advocating for sustainable, forward-thinking strategies within food and fibre.

“The Mackenzie Scholarship set me on a trajectory towards making meaningful change in agriculture,” Emily reflects. “It gave me the space and resources to grow, and now I’m in a position to give back to the sector that is so vital to our country’s future.”

You can view Emily’s Kellogg report here.

Thomas Holmes – scholarship opens doors for Canterbury arable farmer.

Kellogg Programme Scholarship Opens Doors for Canterbury Arable Farmer Focused on Industry Change.

A scholarship from the Mackenzie Charitable Foundation provided a unique opportunity for a Cantabrian to take part in the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme. Kellogg gave Thomas Holmes the chance to expand his leadership skills and has provided him with a platform to advocate for change in the fast-evolving arable farming industry in Canterbury.

Roots in Canterbury farming and connection to the Mackenzie brothers.

Growing up on a mixed arable farm in Methven, where his family has farmed for nearly 150 years, Thomas has a deep connection to the land. He pursued an AgScience Honours degree at Lincoln University, before working for eight years across various farms in New Zealand, Canada, and the UK.

Thomas is currently employed in a Central Government role with Ministry for Primary Industries. He works to support farmers and growers navigating the increasingly complex regulatory and environmental landscape.

Thomas’s motivations for applying for the scholarship were twofold. Financial support was certainly a factor, but it was the story behind the Mackenzie Charitable Foundation that truly resonated with him. Inspired by the selflessness of two brothers who established the trust to support young people in the Canterbury region, he felt a strong personal connection to their values and desire to make a meaningful difference.

“The Trust’s foundations are all about giving back to the community, and it was the bother’s selflessness in this space that really drove me to apply,” said Thomas.

Expanding horizons with the Mackenzie Charitable Foundation Scholarship.

The Scholarship has enabled Thomas to take part in the Kellogg Programme, to engage with peers and experts across various industries and expand his professional network. For someone from a rural farming background, he explains, the opportunity to step outside his comfort zone and engage with others in the agricultural sector has been invaluable.

The role he holds with Government sees him acting as an On-Farm Support Advisor, where his primary role is to bridge the gap between farmers and the technical experts who assist them. Working closely with the arable farming community, he brings crucial information on everything from chemistry to land use changes. His expertise in arable farming allows him to provide tailored advice, helping farmers adapt to the ever-changing landscape of modern agriculture.

In a sector facing climate challenges, evolving regulations, and land use changes, Thomas believes farmers need clear, actionable guidance to make informed decisions. The shift towards new crops, such as stone fruit and apples, is one example of how quickly the Canterbury region is evolving.
“Arable farming is at a crossroads, but there’s a real opportunity to focus on the positives and identify where the silver linings are,” he explains.

The Kellogg Programme has played a pivotal role in Thomas’s professional and leadership development, particularly in his understanding of leadership. “I’ve realised that leadership isn’t about a single person at the top. It’s about collaboration and empowering teams,” he reflects. He credits the programme with expanding his thinking and helping him gain a clearer vision of where he wants to take his career in the future.

So, what does the future hold?

Looking ahead, Thomas is keen to take on more leadership responsibilities, either on-farm, in a government support role, or both. With an open mind about the potential of agri-tech and the future of the industry, he’s also considering opportunities like the Nuffield Scholarship as a way to broaden his perspective further. “I’d love to balance farming with supporting the wider sector,” he says, “and to contribute to meaningful change for the future of agriculture.”

The scholarship, he says, has given him the opportunity to reflect on the broader picture of New Zealand’s agricultural landscape and to think critically about the challenges and opportunities ahead.

“Through the Mackenzie Charitable Foundation’s support in completing the Kellogg Programme, I truly feel I am better placed to play a part in shaping the future of farming in Canterbury.”

You can view Thomas’s Kellogg report here.

Isabelle Coates – networking, leadership, and giving back.

Isabelle Coates, 2021 Mackenzie Charitable Foundation Scholarship Winner, 2022 Kellogg Scholar.

For young professionals in the food and fibre sector, finding the right opportunities to grow and make a meaningful impact can be challenging. But for Isabelle Coates, the Mackenzie Charitable Foundation and the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme provided both a transformative experience and a vital network of connections that has helped to shape her career path and her passion for supporting others.

Motivations for Applying: A Desire to Give Back.

The journey began while working for a not-for-profit, where limited resources sparked a desire to make a bigger impact. The organisation faced the common challenge of workforce attraction and retention, a theme that has become central to Isabelle’s career path. “I was working for a not-for-profit at the time, so we didn’t have a lot of money, but we were trying to do a lot with what we had,” said Isabelle. “The role opened my world to the power of workforce retention. Like many in my network, I wanted to do so much.”

Isabelle’s background in the meat industry, where she had previously been supported by the Meat Industry Association, further fuelled her drive. She wanted to give back to the industry that had supported her and had an ambitious vision for a project that aimed to secure funding to help improve workforce challenges within the meat processing industry. Gaining consensus from a large number of meat processors proved difficult – leaving the project in limbo. Despite this, Isabelle continued to look for opportunities to make a difference.

Winning the Mackenzie Charitable Foundation Scholarship: A Vote of Confidence.

Winning the Scholarship enabled her to complete the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme. It also marked a pivotal moment in her career. “Being so early in my career, winning the Scholarship meant a lot,” she shared. “It was a vote of confidence that the Mackenzie Charitable Foundation were willing to invest in me and, more broadly, in young people wanting to advance and grow in the sector.”

At a time when many young professionals can often feel uncertain about their place in food and fibre, the Scholarship offered not only financial support but a vital network of peers, mentors, and industry leaders. “There’s over two and a half million dollars’ worth of scholarships in the food and fibre sector, but so many people don’t know about them or don’t have the confidence to apply,” she explained. “Winning The Mackenzie Charitable Foundation Scholarship to do Kellogg, showed me that there’s a need for young talent and that the sector wants to invest in our growth.”

Kellogg didn’t just provide Isabelle with technical skills and knowledge—it also helped her grow her confidence and broaden her professional network, an invaluable asset early in her career. “Kellogg helped me grow my confidence. It gave me the tools to think more critically, be more efficient with my time, and to avoid my own past mistakes like falling into the work habits that lead to burnout,” said Isabelle.

After Kellogg: A New Outlook and Career Path.

Since completing the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, Isabelle’s career trajectory has shifted. She transitioned from PGG Wrightson to Muka Tangata, where she worked on qualifications and standards for nine months, engaging heavily with the forestry and agricultural industries. From there, Isabelle moved internally to a role focused on engaging with the dairy, sheep, beef, and deer industries. “I really enjoyed the human connection in my role. It was the huge motivation for applying,” she said. “I love meeting farmers and understanding the challenges and opportunities they face across New Zealand’s diverse farming regions.”

Alongside her career, Isabelle has also found time to start a Young Farmers Club in the Waihora Banks Peninsula area, offering a platform for young people to connect, share experiences, and build leadership skills. “I was a little bit lonely in my previous role to be honest, so I wanted to create something that could help others feel connected,” she said. “We’ve got about 16 members right now, and it’s been really rewarding to see people build their networks.”

A Commitment to Creating Impact.

As Isabelle’s career progresses, she remains focused on creating real impact. Whether that’s connecting farmers to policymakers or helping young people build the confidence to lead, she believes change begins with listening. “Making a difference starts with someone listening,” she said. “The change happens at the intersection of people doing clever things for the right reasons, and then you connect the dots.”

For Isabelle, the future is about more than advancing her own career. It’s about driving human-centred change and creating a supportive, connected network that just might help shape the future of New Zealand agriculture.

You can view Isabelle Coates’ Kellogg Research report here.

Alumni in the Spotlight – Murray King, Penny Timmer-Arends, Alison Bentley, and Mihi Harris.

Here are just a few of the media pieces covering the impact of Rural Leaders’ Programme Alumni in industries and communities across the sector.

Murray King, 2003 Nuffield Scholar, ONZM

On Friday 7 February, Prime Minister the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop, and the new South Island Minister James Meager, Murray King ONZM and others, opened the Waimea Community Dam.

As the Prime Minster noted, this project is an “incredible legacy”, albeit one “we wish we’d got onto sooner”. And as MP Boyack noted, the region now has water security.

In no small part, thanks to the tenacity and leadership of Murray King and his colleagues.

Take a read of an article on the Waimea Water website here. https://waimeawater.nz/2025/02/10/dam-opening-ceremony/.

Penny Timmer-Arends, 2023 Kellogg Scholar

Penny contributed to a DairyNZ ‘Inside Dairy’ article recently. The article, ‘Decoding Rumination Data’, looks at the data wearables such as collars and tags can provide to measure a cow’s wellbeing. This technology has made monitoring rumination easier.

Take a read of the article that suggests visual monitoring and physical examinations should also be used to monitor rumination rates. https://www.dairynz.co.nz/news/decoding-rumination-data/.

Alison Bentley, 2023 Kellogg Scholar

Alison spoke to Radio New Zealand a couple of weeks ago about growing beef cattle, hazelnuts and a wide range of fruit on her small farm near Rotorua.

Alison says small farms have a pivotal role to play in addressing domestic food security and the environment.

“Seven hectares can produce a magnificent amount of food.”

Take a listen to the RNZ interview here: https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/countrylife/audio/2018976890/could-small-scale-farms-be-the-best-way-to-feed-the-country.

Mihi Harris, 2021 Kellogg Scholar

B+LNZ continues to build its support for Whenua Māori, with the establishment of a Kāhui (Māori agribusiness advisory group). Mihi Harris is now part of this seven-strong group that will represent the needs of Whenua Māori entities.

Read more about the Kāhui and about Mihi here: https://beeflambnz.com/news/meet-blnzs-maori-agribusiness-advisory-group.

NZRLT governance opportunity.

The Board of Trustees for the New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust, responsible for governing the Nuffield Scholarships, Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, the Value Chain Innovation Programme, Engage and the HortNZ Leadership Programme, wish to appoint an Associate Trustee.

This governance development opportunity is open to all Rural Leaders Alumni.

The Associate Trustee will have the opportunity to:

Sit on the Board and gain greater understanding of governance processes under an experienced Board.
Provide input into the development of some of the leading rural leadership programmes in New Zealand.
Provide insights and perspective as an Alumni of the programme(s).

The Role
The position is included fully in all Board activities, events and meetings.

The Associate Trustee is expected to fully contribute to all Board discussions and actions as if they were a Board member of the organisation and attend events associated with the role. However, the role has no voting rights.

Eligibility
The Associate Trustee role is open to Alumni of the New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust who completed their programme between 2019 – 2024, inclusive.

Term
The term of appointment is for a twelve-month period (May 2025 – May 2026), which provides an opportunity to cover a full year of operations.

There are seven more Board meetings this year and several events. Most events are held in Christchurch or Wellington.

Flight and accommodation costs are covered, where applicable.

The Board meeting schedule for 2025 is:

May TBC (Online)
July 9 (Christchurch)
August TBC (Online)
September 10 (Wellington)
November 3 (Wellington)
December TBC (Online)
January/Feb 2026 (Christchurch)
April 2026 (Wellington)

Remuneration
There is no remuneration or payment, however all direct costs (such as flights and accommodation where required) relating to meeting attendance, will be met.

Confidentiality and Conduct
On appointment the Associate Trustee will be asked to sign a confidentially agreement.

Although the position is not an appointed Trustee of the New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust, the appointee is expected to adhere to the code of conduct of a Board member.

The Associate Trustee is expected to comply with any reasonable directions of the NZRLT concerning their role.

Application
Interested scholars should forward their application by 24 March 2025 to Lisarogers@ruralleaders.co.nz

Applications should be in writing, with a CV and a covering letter with the following;

The reasons for applying for the role,
What you expect to gain from the opportunity, including how the opportunity would contribute to your leadership goals,
How you might contribute to the Board’s skills, experience and perspectives.

Appointment process
An appointments sub-committee (a delegated committee of the Board) and the Chief Executive will consider all applications and provide a recommendation to the full Board who will approve the appointment.

The successful Associate Trustee will be notified by 10 April and will be invited to attend the May Board meeting online and subsequent meetings and events.

For any questions please contact:
Lisa Rogers, Chief Executive
Phone: 021 139 6881
Email: lisarogers@ruralleaders.co.nz

Alumni in the Spotlight – Robert Campbell, Bryan Guy, Grahame Webber, Carlos Bagrie and Karen Williams

Here are just a few of the media pieces covering the impact of Rural Leaders’ Programme Alumni in industries and communities across the sector.

Robert ‘Robin’ Campbell, 1980 Kellogg Scholar, ONZM

Robert Campbell of Invercargill becomes an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to farming and governance.

Over the last 40 years, Robin Campbell has freely given his farming and governance skills to the Southland community and to farming.

Other agencies Robin has served at include the New Zealand Sheep Council, Sheep Research Foundation, Sheep Improvement Ltd. And, at Ovita, he promoted funding for pioneering farm genetics research and genomic technologies.

Robin also served as Presbyterian Support Southland chairman for nine years and as the PSS national chairman where he earned the Extra Mile Award.

It doesn’t end there, Robin also adds Venture Southland, Presbyterian Retirement Villages Ltd, Waituna Partners Wetland Restoration Project, and the Community Trust of Southland, to his long list of service to community and industry.

Bryan Guy, 1990 Kellogg Scholar, KSM

Bryan Guy has been awarded a King’s Service Medal for services to the community. Bryan is a retired dairy farmer who has volunteered in his community through church, farming and other organisations.

A leader in the Anglican Parish of Oroua, he holds several governance roles. He stepped in as Parish Bishop’s Warden in 2022, the primary lay parish leader for the seven churches of the Oroua Parish. He is also Chair of the Oroua Parish Trust and a Trustee of the St Johns Close Board Trust, administering church housing for the St Johns Close Trust Village.

He has been a Board member of Arohanui Hospice since 2021 and was elected as the Wellington Hawke’s Bay Board member of the Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) in 1986, with 20 years on the LIC National Board.

He became an Area Representative of the Manawatu-Rangitikei Rural Support Trust in 2015 and was involved with Farmstrong at its inception. He is Chairman of the Coach House Museum Board and was a Trustee of the Eastern and Central Community Trust (ECCT) from 2016 to 2020. Mr Guy previously served six years as Chair of the Taonui School Board of Trustees.

Grahame Webber, 1988 Kellogg Scholar, KSM

Grahame Webber, former Waipā District councillor, deputy mayor, and Cambridge Community Board member, has been awarded the King’s Service Medal for his outstanding contributions to local government and farming governance.

Grahame was a Waipā councillor for 21 years, to 2022, including deputy mayor from 2010 to 2019, and a member of the Cambridge Community Board from 1998 to 2022.

In an article from the Waipa District Council, he said it was an honour to be awarded the King’s Service Medal.

In the article Grahame said, “It was overwhelming and emotional. I never dreamed someone would put my name forward. When I first received the email about the nomination, it took me a week to open it because I couldn’t quite believe it.”

While serving on the Cambridge Community Board, Grahame chaired the Sister City Committee, and started annual tours to rural communities, building connections with Le Quesnoy in France and Bihoro in Japan. These annual programmes have now been running for over 25 years.

In addition to his local government service, Grahame was a member of the Cambridge Federated Farmers from 1982 to 2020 and a director of the New Zealand Dairy Group from 1991 to 1994.

Carlos Bagrie, 2024 Nuffield Scholar, ONZM

Carlos Bagrie, 2024 Nuffield Scholar was recognised in the New Year’s honours list, along with Nadia Lim, for services to the food and rural industries.

Carlos and Nadia become Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM).

Carlos, co-founder with Nadia, of meal kit company My Food Bag, was recognised for regenerative, ethical farming practices at the couple’s Royalburn Station in Arrowtown, Central Otago.

Nadia commented to RNZ that “We are blown away to be receiving this recognition. And even more so because we are on the list together this year. We are stoked that farming and food production are receiving some of the spotlight.”

Carlos received a 2024 Nuffield Farming Scholarship and spent several months travelling, looking at innovative agricultural systems and exploring how New Zealand Food and Fibre exporters can position themselves for success in global markets.

Carlos, along with his fellow 2024 Scholars Rachel Baker, Jenna Smith and Peter Templeton, will submit their final Nuffield research reports in the coming months.

Carlos and Nadia spoke on The Country about the award, along with Dan Steele, 2015 Nuffield Scholar, who spoke about his work on Blue Duck Station and his father Richard’s recognition on the Honours List – awarded a King’s Service Medal for services to the rural community.

Dan provides an update on Blue Duck Station and how their conservation efforts are going.

You can listen to Rowena interview Carlos, Nadia and Dan on The Country here,

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1049-the-country-28628176/episode/the-country-full-show-monday-january-257128853/

Or read a Press article here,

https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360534278/food-and-rural-leaders-nadia-lim-and-carlos-bagrie-recognised

Karen Williams, 2023 Value Chain Innovation Programme

Karen Williams completed the Value Chain Innovation Programme in November 2023. Karen is National Client Propositions Manager with FMG and has recently been appointed to take up the CE role for IrrigationNZ.

In an article by Farmers Weekly, IrrigationNZ chair Keri Johnston said Williams brings a wealth of experience to the role, including a background in resource management, agriculture and farming, notable awards for her achievements and wide recognition for her leadership skills.

You can read more about Karen’s appointment in the article here,

https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/people/karen-williams-to-head-irrigationnz/

Karen was named as one of NZ’s most influential and inspiring women in food and drink in 2023.

Alumni in the Spotlight – Anna Nelson, Rosie Dowling, Kate Kellick, Reuben Carter, Sarah How and Tracy Brown.

Here are just a few of the media pieces covering the impact of Rural Leaders’ Programme Alumni in industries and communities across the sector.

Kate Kellick, 2024 Kellogg Scholar.

Kate Kellick’s esheep, a shedding sheep breeding operation, hosted its first ram auction in Mangamahu near Wanganui recently.

The auction saw farmers from across the North Island, bid on the adaptive shedding sheep.

In a Farmers Weekly article by fellow Kellogg alum Cheyenne Wilson, Kate said: “It was quite surprising. There was a good turnout of people from all over the place. There were even a few bidding wars, with people vying for the same ram and pushing the prices right up.”

During the auction the top ram fetched $8000, with an average price of $3500.

“That’s apparently topped the average ram price in New Zealand,” Kellick said.

“It definitely exceeded my expectations and makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

Take a read of Cheyenne Wilson’s Farmers Weekly article here.

You can also read Kate’s Kellogg report here.

Reuben Carter, 2015 Kellogg Scholar and 2024 HortNZ Leadership Programme graduate.

A recent ODT Rural Life article charts Reuben’s career and life course so far – let’s just say he’s been a busy man. You can read more on Reuben’s journey here.

As a both a Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme and HortNZ Leadership Programme graduate Reuben is well equipped to deal with the challenges and opportunities the sector presents.

Reuben, is a crop manager with Oakley’s Premium Fresh Vegetables in Canterbury. Delivered by Rural Leaders, Reuben and his fellow cohort completed the HortNZ Leadership Programme in two phases over nine weeks, between August and October this year.

Take a read about Reueben’s HortNZ Leadership Programme experience here.

Tracy Brown, 2020 Nuffield Scholar.

Following up on last month’s post on Tracy Brown’s new role as Chair at DairyNZ, we share a recent DairyNZ ‘Talking Dairy’ Podcast.

In the podcast Tracy shares her inspiring journey and her vision for the future of New Zealand’s world-leading dairy industry.

You can hear how Tracy plans to steer DairyNZ to deliver greater value for farmers here.

Rosie Dowling, 2014 Kellogg Scholar.

Rural Leaders’ programme alumni appear regularly on Country Calendar.

In one of the most recent episodes, Rosie Dowling’s determination in the face of adversity features as she farms sheep and beef, raises her young kids after her husband dies, and runs a business making wool-insulated dog kennels.

This is an inspiring watch. Head here to view.

There’s also this article on Rosie, in CountryWide by Joanna Grigg.

Anna Nelson, 2016 Kellogg Scholar.

Anna Nelson has been Chair of the co-operative side of Silver Fern Farms for six months and will take over from Rob Hewett as Chair of the Shanghai Maling joint venture side of the business in May.

Anna also runs a 1450ha King Country sheep and beef farm with husband Blair.

You can read more about Anna in Farmers Weekly’s Land Champions series below.

You can read the article here.

Sarah How (Tait), 2018 Kellogg Scholar.

The Zanda McDonald Award, a prestigious trans-Tasman honour that recognises and nurtures exceptional talent in agriculture, has announced the final three New Zealand finalists for 2025. The finalists include Kellogg alum Sarah How (Tait) and Lincoln University alum Maegen Blom.

Sarah is Co-founder and General Manager of Landify Ltd, in South Canterbury.

You can read more about the Xander McDonald Awards here.

You can read the article here.

Alumni in the Spotlight – Alison Bentley, Hamish Marr, Wayne Langford, Tracy Brown, Cam Henderson and Ben McLauchlan.

Here are just a few of the media pieces covering the impact of Rural Leaders’ Programme Alumni in industries and communities across the sector.

Alison Bentley, 2023 Kellogg Scholar.

Alison Bentley (Tikitere Farm) spoke yesterday at the event ‘Global and Local Approaches to Climate-Resilient Land Use: NZ’s Path Forward.’

Alison joined Angela Clifford (Eat New Zealand), in Session 2: Resilient Food Systems: Small-scale and Local?

Alison and Angela’s presentation was titled, ‘Resilient Food Systems: small-scale and local?’

Keynote speakers at the event were: Ada Ignaciuk (OECD) and Katarzyna Zawalinska (IRWiR, Polish Academy of Sciences).

Head here to read a short article on Alison’s (and Angela’s) presentation.

While this event has been and gone the registration page has plenty of information about its purpose and the speakers. Head here to learn more.

Ben McLauchlan, 2020 Nuffield Scholar.

Marlborough wine producer and grape grower, Balvonie New Zealand, has released Marlborough’s first Prosecco from Glera grapes planted in the Rapaura sub-region.

The 2023 Balvonie Prosecco has been a three-year project for owners Ben and Helen McLauchlan, who first fell in love with Prosecco while living in the UK. The well-loved wine is made from a little-known grape called Glera, widely planted in Italy, but largely unknown in New Zealand.

Take a read of Balvonie’s Press Release here.

And more about the Balvonie Prosecco here (includes the all important tasting notes).

Tracy Brown, 2020 Nuffield Scholar. Cam Henderson, 2019 Nuffield and 2017 Kellogg Scholar.

Tracy Brown and Cameron Henderson have been confirmed as Chair and Deputy Chair of the DairyNZ Board, respectively.

Tracy Brown had previously been announced as Chair-elect in June 2024 when former Chair Jim van der Poel signalled his retirement from the role.

Take a read of DairyNZ’s press release here.

Hamish Marr, 2019 Nuffield Scholar.

In a recent REX podcast, Dominic George spoke to Hamish Marr about his role in connecting New Zealand agriculture with global markets.

Hamish explains how he navigates international conversations on sustainability, trade demands, and consumer preferences while advocating for New Zealand’s unique farming standards.

He highlights the importance of collaboration and adapting to global demands, offering a rare perspective on New Zealand’s role within the larger agricultural landscape.

You can listen to Hamish here.

Wayne Langford, 2014 Kellogg Scholar.

Federated Farmers national president Wayne Langford features in a recent Farmers Weekly article stating that both the general public and farmers are still unsure about what GE or GM means, and whether it is or isn’t already allowed in this country.

In the article Wayne Langford says comments from farmers are generally positive and tend to be around meeting climate targets.

You can read the full article here.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand and Rural Leaders renew partnership.

The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust (Rural Leaders) is pleased to announce the renewal of its partnership agreement with Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ).

Pictured: Lisa Rogers, CEO, Rural Leaders (left). Justine Kidd, GM Extension, B+LNZ (right).

One of the New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust’s (Rural Leaders) earliest industry partners is Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ).

The signing of a new partnership agreement between the two organisations aligns strongly with B+LNZ’s People and Capability Strategy focused on improving on-farm talent retention. Core to delivering on the objective of increasing the retention of people from their first day on farm to their third year is the role of on-farm leadership. Leadership that creates great work environments, communities and futures for people in the sector.

Justine Kidd, General Manager Extension, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, says, “On-farm leadership is critical to solving the challenge of our people’s future on farm. We are attracting enough young talent to the sector, but we aren’t holding them. Rural Leaders’ world-class delivery of leadership programmes supports our strategy, and we are looking forward to our continued joint effort growing great rural leaders across New Zealand.”

“B+LNZ’s partnership with Rural Leaders is a strong fit with two of our three investment pillars; ‘On-Farm’ focused on talent retention directly on farm and ‘Energising’ focused on growing leadership capability, celebrating and sharing stories of success.”, adds Justine Kidd.

To this end, B+LNZ recently announced farmers Richard Cameron and Natasha Cave would be the 2025 recipients of the B+LNZ Leadership Advancement Scholarships. They each receive full sponsorship to complete the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme in 2025, along with mentorship from a B+LNZ leader aligned with their interests.

Lisa Rogers, CEO, Rural Leaders says, “The Rural Leadership Advancement Scholarships will become a flagship opportunity for the sheep and beef industry’s farmer-leaders. We look forward to playing a key role in these leaders’ development and future, both as people and as change-makers.”

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The next available Kellogg places are for Programme Two 2025, 24 June start. Applications close April 13, 2025.

Alumni in the Spotlight – Ben Todhunter, Jen Corkran, Paul Crick, Nathan Guy.

Here are just a few of the media pieces covering the impact of Rural Leaders’ Programme Alumni in industries and communities across the sector.

Ben Todhunter, 2006 Nuffield Scholar.

Ben Todhunter is an experienced Angus breeder, and operates a Merino stud on his farm Cleardale Station. He was recently appointed to the Board of Angus Australia.

In addition to the skillsets mentioned, Ben also breeds Cleardale SX Fine Wool sheep and is a successful competitor in Mustering Dog Trials.

You can read more in this short article from Angus Australia on the appointment.

Jen Corkran, 2023 Kellogg Scholar.

Jen Corkran, is a Senior Analyst for meat protein with Rabobank. Jen features heavily across several pages in the Sheep Country issue. Jen says the long term view for sheep meat is positive.

She says farmers can be assured that global sheep meat prices are past the bottom of the cycle. “I’m reasonably confident we won’t see less than $6/KG for some time”, said Jen Corkran.

You can read the full article ‘Green shoots emerging after a tough season’ here. (Scroll to page 20).

Paul Crick, 2015 Kellogg Scholar.

As we mentioned, the “Sheep Country’ issue of CountryWide featured many Kellogg Alumni.

Paul Crick, Independent Director of the New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust, featured in an article ‘Testing genetics in commercial hill country conditions’. Paul farms ‘Glenside Station’ a 850ha, 7700 stock unit operation with his partner Dayanne Almeida.

The Wairarapa property was formerly the Taratahi Farm Training Institute’s. Paul and Dayanne took control of the property in 2019 and with it the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Hill Country Central Progeny Test Flock (CPT).

You can read more about the work Paul and Dayanne are doing here – work underpinned by the philosophy, ‘if you look after the individual, the flock will take care of itself’.

(Scroll to page 62).

Nathan Guy, 1999 Kellogg Scholar.

Nathan is Chair of the New Zealand Meat Industry Association and says that in a time of challenging conditions it is critical that we do not scale back on marketing – specifically the telling of our farmers’ stories.

(Scroll to page 19).

Alumni in the Spotlight – Kate Scott, Isabelle Coates, Matt Iremonger.

Here are just a few of the media pieces covering the impact of Rural Leaders’ Programme Alumni in industries and communities across the sector.

Isabelle Coates, 2022 Kellogg Scholar.

In what is potentially a first (at least for a while), a Kellogg Scholar writes about a Kellogg Scholar.

Cheyenne Wilson 2024 Kellogg Scholar wrote an article for Farmers Weekly a few weeks back covering Isabelle Coates in the publication’s Rural Living series which highlights the people of Aotearoa’s rural communities.

Isabelle talks to Cheyenne about her work, mentorship and more. Isabelle is Muka Tangata engagement and partnerships manager.

Take a read of the Farmers Weekly article.

Kate Scott, 2018 Nuffield Scholar.

Rural Leaders’ Chair and Nuffield Scholar Kate Scott has been appointed chief executive officer of Horticulture New Zealand.

Kate Scott has been working in agribusiness for 20 years with strong experience in policy and planning and stakeholder engagement. Kate is also executive director of environmental consultancy Landpro, and is deputy chair of Thriving Southland.

“I am confident Kate will navigate the sector’s complexities and be able to unpick and understand the key issues while remaining focused on delivering results that will make a difference for growers and the wider horticulture industry,” Said Barry O’Neil, chair of HortNZ.

Kate has also written a piece for ‘Eating the Elephant’ in Farmers Weekly, September 16.

Take a read of this article on Kate’s appointment.

Matt Iremonger, 2023 Nuffield Scholar.

“The New Zealand pastoral farming industries have a great opportunity to shift the dysfunctional bobby calf output to functional beef-on-dairy production”, 2023 Nuffield scholar Matt Iremonger believes.

“By shifting from a production-driven to a consumer-demanded beef-on-dairy value chain there is a prospect to enhance value and provide an opportunity for beef on dairy and the non-replacement dairy calf.”

Read the full Farmers Weekly article here.

DairyNZ and Rural Leaders renew Strategic Partnership.

The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust (Rural Leaders) is pleased to announce the renewal of its Strategic Partnership agreement with DairyNZ.

This latest partnership renewal follows a long-standing relationship with DairyNZ that dates to 2017.

The new agreement means we can continue to help build stronger, more capable dairy industry leaders and in-turn contribute to meeting DairyNZ’s new strategic priorities: accelerating on-farm productivity, powering more adaptable and resilient farms, and enabling sustainable and competitive dairying.

Much of this is underpinned not just by world-leading research and advocacy, but also by fostering evermore capable leadership capability.

DairyNZ’s high-impact partnerships make the most of the Food and Fibre sector’s expertise, connections and strengths. They help to expand their knowledge, access greater resources, and ultimately better meet the needs of New Zealand dairy farmers. We’re proud to play a part in this positive and purposeful ecosystem of change.

The partnership supports Rural Leaders’ purpose to grow world-class leaders for our country. We do this by delivering several of the sector’s most highly regarded and trusted leadership programmes.

DairyNZ CEO, Campbell Parker’s involvement with Rural Leaders is often as a popular speaker on the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme. During these sessions Kellogg scholars learn about DairyNZ’s strategy and enduring value to the sector. They also want to know about Campbell’s own leadership journey, experiences and insights.

Rural Leaders, like DairyNZ, believe dairy has a strong and positive future and we are proud to partner with this key organisation and the industry it supports.

(Pictured – Campbell Parker, DairyNZ CEO, and Lisa Rogers, Rural Leaders’ CEO).

A larger-than-life Nuffield alum passes.

The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust (Rural Leaders) and Nuffield New Zealand are saddened by the recent passing of Garrick Murfitt, 1977 Nuffield Scholar.

Garrick was a hill-country farmer first and foremost and was involved with Horizons Regional Council since joining as statutory member in 1992. He went on to be elected to represent the Tararua District and served as Chair from 2006 to 2010.

Garrick was involved in a number of collaborative initiatives involving local government, iwi and hapū and was also a driver of the improved health of the Manawatū River.

Horizons CE, Michael McCartney said of Garrick, “He was a larger than life chartacter … a joy to work with, and loved by everyone. He was a wonderful person and a man of real public service.”

Garrick is survived by his wife Jane, sons Simon, Richard and Daniel, daughter Emma, and grandchildren Taylor, Ben, Grace, Ellen, Beth, Anna, Tobias, Jack, Lucy, Poppy and Beatrice.

You can leave a message for Garrick’s family here.

You can read a Herald article here.

Zespri and Rural Leaders renew Programme Partnership

The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust (Rural Leaders) is pleased to announce the renewal of its long-running Programme Partnership agreement with Zespri.

Zespri are highly engaged in rural leadership development and in the support of the programmes that help build the strategic leadership capacity in our food and fibre sector.

With the support of Zespri, Rural Leaders’ programmes continue to grow leaders who have the awareness, confidence and skills to take advantage of the opportunities and challenges confronting the sector and its communities.

Rural Leaders are proud to partner with Zespri and the sector it supports.

(Pictured – Jason Te Brake, Zespri CEO, and Lisa Rogers, Rural Leaders’ CEO.

Horticulture NZ Leadership Programme partnership.

A fast-changing industry needs more adaptble and capable leaders.

Horticulture is fast-changing. It has big goals, such as doubling the farmgate value of production. The industry wants to do this in a way that lifts the prosperity of its people while also protecting the planet.

The environment horticulture now operates in is more complex than it has ever been. It will need a pool of high-performing, current and potential leaders with the confidence and skills to take the industry into the future.

The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust (Rural Leaders) are partnering with HortNZ to deliver the highly regarded and in-demand HortNZ Leadership Programme.

“A sustained flow of capable and self-aware leaders is critical to the Food and Fibre sector remaining vital and vibrant into the future. The Sector needs leaders that are continuously developing themselves and the teams they work with.

This addition to Rural Leaders’ suite of programmes, fully realises our intent to include an operational level programme as part of a wider leadership development ecosystem.

We are pleased to be working in partnership with HortNZ to deliver this important piece of a horticulture leader’s development journey”, Said Lisa Rogers, CEO, Rural Leaders.

The programme is designed to help leaders capture the opportunities and address the challenges offered by the industry’s expected growth and change. Participants will be fruit and vegetable growers, their employees, or from organisations closely associated with growing. They will join the more than 300 leaders who have graduated from the programme since 2002.

A key piece of the Food and Fibre sector’s leadership development ecosystem.

The HortNZ Leadership Programme took a break in 2023 to be reviewed against the current industry landscape. An additional evaluation was completed by Scarlatti, funded by Food and Fibre CoVE.

Food and Fibre CoVE also commissioned Rural Leaders to undertake research to define, design and develop an integrated approach tailored for Food and Fibre to help establish leadership development pathways for our people to grow and succeed.

The research outputs include the Capability Development Framework, introduced in the report, ‘A path to realising the leadership potential of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Food and Fibre Sector’. Key elements from the Capability Development Framework were also reviewed alongside the HortNZ Leadership Programme.

HortNZ Leadership Programme timetable.

The Programme is delivered by Rural Leaders in two phases and over nine weeks starting 13 August 2024 and finishing 19 October 2024:

Phase one: five days (13 –18 August 2024 in Auckland)
Phase two: three days (17-19 October 2024 in Wellington)
Personal leadership plan – six weeks over the Programme.

Designed to build participants’ confidence to take the lead and to create influence, the programme will also develop business skills, such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking and problem solving.

It includes sessions that aim to generate an awareness of strategy, how to use it,
as well as developing a personal plan. A key feature of the programme is the opportunity to network and grow relationships with other like-minded emerging and current influential leaders.

Alumni in the Spotlight – Julian Raine, Tracy Brown, Anna Gower-James and more.

It’s been another busy month or two for alumni in the news. Here are just a few of the media pieces covering the impact of Rural Leaders’ Programme Alumni in industries and communities across the sector.

Julian Raine, 1997 Nuffield Scholar.

As you may well have heard, Julian Raine, 1997 Nuffield Scholar, won the Outstanding Contribution Award at the Federated Farmers’ Primary Industries Awards on July 2nd.

Julian is a former Chair of the NZ Rural Leadership Trust and has also chaired the Apple Futures Programme. He has been a trustee of the Massey Lincoln Agricultural Industry Trust, he has co-chaired the Nelson Tasman Climate Forum, and is a member of the Primary Sector Council.

Judges noted that he is, and continues to be, an innovator and leading entrepreneur in horticulture and dairy. His leadership and commitment to giving back, both nationally and in the Nelson community, including involvement in the Waimea Community Dam project, has spanned three decades.

This article gave a strong account of the win.

Take a read of the Farmers Weekly article.

Jason Te Brake, 2014 Kellogg Scholar.

Jason Te Brake’s appointment as Zespri’s new Chief Executive hit the headlines several weeks back. On his appointment Jason said,

“My focus will be on leading the Zespri team to capture the significant demand opportunities in the market, on strengthening our supply chain and operational performance to maximise value in the market, and on ensuring we return as much of that value back to growers as possible.”

Take a read of this Waikato news article on Jason’s background and his plans for the Kiwifruit marketer.

Kate Scott, 2018 Nuffield Scholar.

In June’s ‘The Journal’ (From NZIPIM, Vol 28, No 2), Kate Scott, 2018 Nuffield Scholar shares her findings from her time in Brazil on the Nuffield Global Focus Programme (GFP).

Kate’s article explores the idea that Brazil might be a little more than its stereotype –
a large-scale, beef-producing, Amazon deforesting nation in the South Americas.

The article goes into some ideas that potentially paint an alternative picture.

You can download and read the article here.

Image below: Julian Raine with his ‘Outstanding Contribution Award’ at July’s
Primary Industries Awards.

Tracy Brown, 2020 Nuffield Scholar.

In late June, it was announced Tracy Brown will take over as board chair of DairyNZ in October. Tracy replaces Jim van der Poel, 2002 Nuffield Scholar, who has been chair of DairyNZ since 2017.

DairyNZ has a governing board of eight members. Five directors are elected by farmers and three are independent and appointed by the board. Congratulations to Jim on his exceptional service and to Tracy on her election. This article from Rural News Group had it covered.

Anna Gower-James, 2023 Kellogg Scholar.

An article in the Spring edition of the New Zealand Dairy Exporter by Anna Gower-James explores the growth of Nigerian dairy consumption and looks at its potential from a New Zealand trade perspective.

The article is based on Anna’s Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme report and is available in the latest issue (Spring 2024) of New Zealand Dairy Exporter.

Anna’s full report is available here.

Dan Eb, David Eade, John Foley, 2021 Nuffield Scholars.

On a regular basis (generally once a week) one of four Nuffield Scholars, Dan Eb, David Eade, Phil Weir, or Ben Anderson, pen an article for Farmers Weekly’s ‘Eating the Elephant’.

Here is the now substantial archive which includes recent additions from Dan and David, as well as Phil Weir.

This month, guest writer John Foley added his learned touch to the group’s efforts. John’s article ‘The courage to be a pragmatist’, proposes that we just might have been better at getting things done in the past. John writes,

“Kennedy was a pragmatist. He fundamentally changed his politics to reflect the reality of American society and wasn’t afraid to lose political capital. For modern New Zealand, the pragmatism to build infrastructure and create enduring government policies is hard to find. As a result, things aren’t done.”

Take a read of John’s article here.

Another article from the archive well worth a read is Dan Eb’s June 19 piece on his Nuffield travel. The Global Focus Programme (GFP) is a key piece of the Nuffield Scholarship, placing small groups of about a dozen international scholars together on a tour of several continents and many countries.

“May-June 2023, my Nuffield Farming Scholarship sling-shotted me and 11 other scholars across Singapore, Japan, Israel, the Netherlands and the United States.”

For anyone considering a 2025 Nuffield Scholarship, this article gives you some real insight into what it means to develop a global view.

Applications for 2025 Nuffield Scholarships are open until 18 October.

Cheyenne Wilson, 2024 Kellogg Scholar.

Cheyenne Wilson is currently on the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme and will graduate in November.

Cheyenne’s Kellogg research focuses on identifying the tools and mechanisms needed for rangatahi to thrive in the Food and Fibre sector.

Take a read of this Farmer’s Weekly article ‘Bridging tradition and innovation in NZ farming’ covers the journey so far of this busy and community-minded Kellogger.

Kylie Leonard, 2023 Nuffield Scholar.

The 2023 Nuffield Scholars, Kylie Leonard, Kerry Worsnop, Matt Iremonger and James Allen were each interviewed on the CountryWide or Dairy Exporter podcasts.

The most recent of these was Kylie Leonard’s coverage of her Nuffield report ‘Boots on the ground are part of the solution. Transitioning agriculture towards sustainability together.’

Interviewed by Sarah Perriam-Lampp, the podcast determines that farmers to need to be at the table when it comes to fostering sustainable practices in the agriculture sector.

Kylie says that the best uptake is when farmers have had the choice to change, and lead by example within their community.

Take a listen to Kylie’s podcast here.

You can also find the remaining 2023 Nuffield Scholar podcasts below.

James Allen, Matt Iremonger and Kerry Worsnop.

A big thank you to Sarah and her team for these fantastic podcasts.

Image below: Emma Crutchley at the launch of the KPMG Agri-business agenda. Fieldays.

Emma Crutchley, 2018 Kellogg Scholar.

Emma was asked to contribute to the launch of the KPMG New Zealand Agribusiness Agenda at Mystery Creek Field days.

Take a read of Emma’s LinkedIn post covering her participation on the panel, together with Jason Te Brake, Jason Doherty, Ian Proudfoot and others.

Dr Patrick Aldwell retires after 25 years of service to Kellogg.

Dr Patrick Aldwell has made a hugely positive impact on thousands of people from across the Food and Fibre sector. Passionate about life-long learning, he has also made the academic and strategic support of anyone who needed it, his life-long mission. On the Kellogg Programme alone, he did this for twenty five years.

Now he has officially retired from Kellogg (well probably, mostly).

Since retiring from Lincoln University as Dean of the Faculty of Commerce in 2012,
Dr Patrick Aldwell continued to focus on agribusiness programmes that build leadership capability in Food and Fibre.

These included the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, the Horticultural Leadership Programme, the Nuffield Scholarship and Future Food Network programmes.

Prior to returning to Lincoln University in 1998, Patrick was a scientist for 20 years at the then Forest Research Institute in the Trade, Marketing and Economics group. During this time he worked on New Zealand land use issues and internationally for the UN and World Bank on capacity-building for science infrastructure projects.

Patrick’s disciplines are in the fields of regional and industrial economics and strategic management. He has degrees from Massey University, Monash University, the University of Washington and a Dip. Agri from Lincoln University.

Patrick never tires of sharing his knowledge with students and sector leaders. He is sought out for academic support and strategic guidance, particularly when it comes to tackling the big challenges facing the primary industries and its rural communities.

Today Patrick’s academic interests lie in fields of technological change, rural issues, the interface between agricultural intensification and other ecosystems, and on building our sector’s leadership capability.

To this end, Patrick’s 25 years with the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, were marked by his support and encouragement of the rural leaders he taught.

One recent Māori Agri-business graduate of the Kellogg Programme said of Patrick, “He was instrumental in assisting me to basically learn how to write, how to write well, and to get my writing out there in the public space so that I could share what was on my heart and mind.” Comments such as this are typical and frequent.

He provided academic guidance and knowledge-rich support to rural leaders not just on the Kellogg Programme, but also the Horticulture Leadership Programme and many more. It is not just his dedicated academic support for students and scholars, but it is also to people in their ‘day jobs’ as well.

As Dean, Patrick’s long-time colleague, Associate Professor Charles Lamb, now Divisional Director at Lincoln University, said, “Dr Aldwell’s stand out quality was his genuine empathy for his staff”.

Images top and bottom – the graduation of the 50th Kellogg cohort. November 2023.

Shaping the critical and strategic thinking ability of hundreds on Kellogg.

Patrick’s involvement in the Sector runs so deep it can be hard to find a place he hasn’t had a significant positive impact on the primary industries’ people and their communities.

In late November last year, the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme celebrated the graduation of its 50^th cohort. Patrick was asked to speak to a large crowd of Scholars and industry leaders, not just as the Academic Director of the Programme, but as someone who had influenced the trajectory of over 800 of the Programme’s 1100+ alumni.

Patrick has often said that one of the biggest thrills he gets is hearing of the successes of those in rural New Zealand he has taught, encouraged or perhaps provided quiet counsel to when times were tough on-farm.

The length of time served, the passion, commitment, and the individuals influenced by Patrick’s involvement in key sector programmes, particularly around leader capability lift, means his impact on the primary industries has been exponential.

His fifty years of service to the Sector, positively influencing trade, science, academia and people, stands as tacit evidence of his dedication and passion for the primary industries.

In the last two decades Patrick has focused more specifically on addressing leader capability lift in the primary industries. Patrick understands the exponential impact stronger and ever-better leader ability can have in creating better outcomes for rural communities and their people.

As a simple and frequently occurring example, it is common to hear Patrick has spent hours working into the night, consulting with a farmer or grower who has been working all day on their operation. He takes a genuine interest in them as business owners, as team members, as students and as human beings. Whether on Zoom, over the phone, or in-person, Patrick never shies from helping the rural people and communities he is so passionate about.

From everyone at Rural Leaders, and the rural leaders you have supported and encouraged, enjoy your retirement Patrick.

Gilman Scholars to visit New Zealand – hosted by Rural Leaders.

Gilman and Rural Leaders forge Food and Fibre education alliance.

In partnership with Rural Leaders, the U.S. Mission to New Zealand will undertake a week-long, interactive programme for Gilman alums working in fields related to global food security.

As part of their professional development the Gilman alums will examine how New Zealand navigates geopolitical and climate change risks as a Food and Fibre based economy.

Participants will gain insights into policies, technologies, and adaptation measures aimed at securing the agricultural sector and mitigating environmental impacts, crucial for sustaining New Zealand’s role as a global food supplier amidst evolving global challenges.

“We are excited to be hosting this programme with Gilman and the US Department of State. It gives us an opportunity to showcase New Zealand’s innovation and initiatives towards food security and how we create resilience throughout our food systems,” said Lisa Rogers, CEO, Rural Leaders.

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Background.

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad. The Scholarship aims to encourage students to study and intern in a diverse array of countries; in 2024 this will include New Zealand.

The week-long programme called ‘Mission New Zealand – Navigating Geopolitical Tensions and Climate Change as an Agri-based Economy’, has been designed to give the visiting Scholars a deep dive into global food security.

Running from Monday 26^th – Friday 30^th August 2024, and facilitated by Dr. Scott Champion, the Programme features a stellar line-up of modules and speakers, including:

A Global Perspective, Ian Proudfoot (Global Head of Agribusiness, KPMG).

Te Ao Māori Perspective, Jess Smith (Regional Director – Te Tai Hauauru
Te Puni Kōkiri).

Food Security/Food Safety Perspective, Hon Minister Andrew Hoggard (Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety).

A Discussion on Trade, Hamish Marr (Special Agricultural Trade Envoy), Brian Wilson (Divisional Manager – Trade Policy & Negotiation Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade)

Value Chains in the NZ Food and Fibre Sector, Prof. Hamish Gow (Professor – Global Value Chains & Trade, Lincoln University).

Global Food Security, a NZ Government Perspective, Hon Minister Todd McClay (Minister of Trade and Agriculture).

Silver Fern Farms, Ryan MacArthur (On Farm Sustainability Manager).

Fonterra, Charlotte Van Der Lee (Sustainability Manager).

Precision Agriculture, Craige MacKenzie (2008 Nuffield Scholar).

Supply Chain, Lyttelton Port Company – Simon Munt (Chief Customer and Supply Chain Officer).

Biosecurity, Regulations, and Emissions Reductions, Julie Collins (Deputy Director-General Policy and Trade, Ministry for Primary Industries).

Global food security, the NZ Perspective, Hon Damien O’Connor (Labour Party Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, Land Information, Trade and Transport, Member of NZ Parliament).

Final Overview, Lisa Rogers (CEO, NZ Rural Leaders), Dr. Scott Champion (Dir. Primary Purpose, Facilitator), Margaret Walrod (Foreign Service Officer at U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy, Wellington), Theresa Gagnon (Program Officer at U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), USA).

The Programme also features several reflection sessions with Facilitator Dr. Scott Champion, farm visits (Matt Iremonger, Alan and Carina Friedman and Marr Farms), dinners, and recreational activities.

Why visit us? The New Zealand context.

As an agribusiness nation, New Zealand remains dependent on its agricultural and horticultural product exports to maintain a healthy economy. Each year, New Zealand exports approximately 90% of its dairy, meat, fruit, and vegetables to a value of USD 32 billion. However, this economic backbone is vulnerable to geopolitical tensions and climate change.

Geopolitically, New Zealand’s agriculture is affected by global conflicts. During the Russia-Ukraine war, farmers faced decisions regarding exports to Russia amidst international sanctions, highlighting the sector’s exposure to global political dynamics.

Climate change presents significant challenges, with intensified weather events like Cyclone Gabrielle disrupting supply chains and threatening agricultural viability.

The sector is also grappling with increased animal diseases and oceanic impacts on aquaculture, exacerbated by its substantial greenhouse gas emissions.

“This partnership highlights Rural Leaders’ desire to forge stronger relationships with international connections,” added Lisa Rogers.

Other Scholar groups will visit Columbia and Zimbabwe later this year.

To find out more about the Gilman Scholarships visit here.

Farmlands and Rural Leaders renew Programme Partnership

The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust (Rural Leaders) is pleased to announce the renewal of its Programme Partnership agreement with Farmlands.

Farmlands and Rural Leaders have enjoyed a productive partnership for many years. In that time both organisations have worked together to help build the strategic leadership capacity in our food and fibre sector.

Working with Farmlands, Rural Leaders’ programmes aim to grow world-class leaders for our country. These are leaders who have the skills, networks, awareness, and confidence to deal strategically with the significant changes confronting the sector, its communities, and the environment.

Rural Leaders are proud to partner with Farmlands and the sector it supports.

(Pictured – Tanya Houghton, Farmlands’ CEO, and Lisa Rogers, Rural Leaders’ CEO).

Foundation for Arable Research and Rural Leaders renew Programme Partnership

The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust (Rural Leaders) is pleased to announce the renewal of the Programme Partnership agreement with the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR).

FAR and Dr Alison Stewart’s involvement with Rural Leaders’ Programmes goes back not too long after the formation of Rural Leaders in 2017.

While arable growers on Rural Leaders’ programmes benefit from FAR’s programme sponsorship and input, FAR also supports the development of leadership and leaders from industries across the Food and Fibre Sector.

The important role FAR and arable growers play cannot be understated. Their work underpins the livestock industries. Growers produce the grass seed for pastures and animal feed in the dairy, beef and poultry industries. Rural Leaders are proud to partner with this key organisation and the industry it supports.

Dr Stewart’s own involvement with Rural Leaders is often hands-on as a regular speaker on the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme. Kellogg scholars learn about the work FAR does and the role it plays, as well as Dr Stewart’s own leadership journey, experience and insight.

“…you’re able to have some honest and sometimes quite painful discussions about how New Zealand agriculture needs to move into the future and the changes that need to be made. And that cohort of Kellogg leaders are up for those kinds of discussions. I just love it.” Dr Alison Stewart, 2023.

Pictured above is Dr Alison Stewart, Foundation for Arable Research, CEO, and Lisa Rogers, Rural Leaders’ CEO.

Foundation for Arable Research background.
FAR is an applied research organisation responsible to New Zealand’s arable growers. It is involved with funding of arable, maize research and technology transfer.

FAR contributes funds to research programmes, often in collaboration with government funded organisations or universities. Involvement in specific research programmes is driven by the interests of New Zealand’s arable growers.

Research is split between three themes: Maximising productivity and value; Environmental and social best practice; and Resilient cropping in farming systems.

Each year, in consultation with growers across the country, FAR reviews and updates the short, medium and long-term projects within each theme.

Levy funds are also used to secure additional Government funding through programmes such as the Sustainable Food + Fibre Futures Fund.

FAR’s research and extension portfolio supports our vision of A vibrant and profitable arable sector producing healthy, value-added food, feed and seed.

Amongst the work in applied research, the search for new management systems, tools and new technologies to assist growers, FAR also works on supporting growers with compliance and biosecurity.

“We also promote to the general public, to the other sectors, to the government, the value of arable systems and the value that they bring to New Zealand agriculture.” Dr Alison Stewart, 2023.

Mackenzie Charitable Foundation and Rural Leaders renew Strategic Partnership

The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust (Rural Leaders) is pleased to announce the renewal of its Strategic Partnership agreement with the Mackenzie Charitable Foundation.

The Foundation’s desire to assist in the amplification of entrepreneurial and emerging leaders in the food and fibre sector finds significant alignment with Rural Leaders’ purpose of growing world-class leaders for our country.

To this end The Mackenzie Charitable Foundation undertook research alongside Rural Leaders, in collaboration with Otago Business School and the Department of Economics, to investigate the contribution of Kellogg and Nuffield Alumni to Food and Fibre.

This report, a world-class evidence base, measures the within-person gains in entrepreneurial leadership capability that occurs because of participation in the Kellogg and Nuffield programmes.

You can download the Mackenzie Study here.

Pictured above is Don McFarlane (MNZM, JP), Mackenzie Charitable Foundation Trustee and 1981 Nuffield Scholar, and Lisa Rogers, CEO, Rural Leaders.

Mackenzie Charitable Foundation background.

The Mackenzie Charitable Foundation was formed in 1976 when brothers Alan and Don Mackenzie made the decision to leave their estates to the community of Mid-Canterbury.

Both brothers were diagnosed with cancer in the mid-1970’s and it was then that they decided to leave a legacy to the community they had lived in and loved so much.

The Foundation assists the province of Canterbury in Agriculture, specifically in the areas of research, development, education and training, and expansion of the science and practice of agriculture.

The Foundation supports Cancer Research, treatment, provision of equipment, and education and training. It also supports young people that may have challenges that put them at disadvantage to their peers.

We are proud to be working with an enterprise that has given, and continues to give so much to Canterbury, its communities and people.

Alumni in the Spotlight – Michael Tayler, Tessa Appleby and more.

It has been a busy time for alumni. This selection of news items is a nowhere near adequate summary – possibly a good problem to have. For now the Spotlight is on Michael Tayler, Tess Appleby, Lucie Douma, Matt Iremonger, James Allen, and Carlos Bagrie.

Michael Tayler, 2012 Nuffield Scholar.

Michael featured in Farmers Weekly recently in an article covering both he and his brother’s work in Japan. In the article Michael said there are a small number of Canterbury growers supplying carrots to Juice Products New Zealand for health-conscious consumers in Japan.

“It is an interesting story, and really satisfying to see New Zealand carrot juice on the supermarket shelves in Japan,” says Michael Tayler.

T ake a read of the Farmers Weekly article.

Lucie Douma, 2022 Nuffield Scholar.

Lucie Douma will be speaking at E Tipu 2024. Another great reason to attend, either in-person or online. Lucie’s report ‘Data sharing to achieve data interoperability’ discusses the need to find a better way of collecting, managing, and using information on our farms as part of the decision-making process – and for this we need data interoperability and data sharing of systems.

Lucie is Head of Client Strategy and Advice at FMG Lucie has been instrumental in shaping strategies that resonate with the needs of the modern farmer, focusing on innovation and resilience in the face of changing agricultural landscapes.

See Lucie’s full bio for E Tipu here.

Get your tickets for E Tipu 2024 here.

Matt Iremonger, 2023 Nuffield Scholar.

Matt was interviewed a couple of weeks ago on the CountryWide Podcast. Where his Nuffield report ‘What’s the beef? Opportunities for beef on dairy in New Zealand’, was discussed, specifically the issue of non-replacements (1.8 million calves are slaughtered annually at 4-7 days).

Listen to the podcast here.

Matt’s Nuffield report looks at the opportunity for beef on dairy to shift the value chain from dysfunctional to functional.

In a supporting article by Sarah Perriam-Lampp, he also featured in CountryWide, Beef Country Autumn, pages 15-18. Check the article, ‘World’s best grass-fed steak’. To partially quote the article flavour text, ‘Handpicked genetics, farm systems and top-notch grading to be crowned the best…’

You can read the article here.

James Parsons also features in this issue on the use of Halter in hill country. Nick Jolly, 2023 Kellogg Scholar lends his expertise with an article on page 13. Upcoming 2024 Kellogg Programme Two Scholar and John Daniell Memorial Trust Scholarship winner, Rachel Joblin has written an article on integrated farm planning (pages 20 and 21).

James Allen, 2023 Nuffield Scholar.

James was also interviewed on the CountryWide Podcast where he discussed his report, ‘Redefining excellence in agribusiness advisory. The role of the rural advisor in the modern world’.

You can listen to this podcast here.

James’ report explores the challenges faced by the rural advisor in a farming world striving to feed an ever-increasing population whilst also reducing its environmental footprint. This report gives guidance as to how the rural advisor might continue to add value to farmers in this fast-changing context.

Tessa Appleby, 2023 Kellogg Scholar.

Tessa features in several recent articles, including Farmers Weekly. This piece covers the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle and the loss of her home.

The article also covers Tessa’s Kellogg research which aimed to review and analyse the current understanding and perception of Bovine TB among farmers and industry professionals.

The research report explored aspects of BovineTB management strategy and a human-centred approach to its eradication.

One significant aspect of the findings was the importance of storytelling in creating empathy and understanding.

“Sharing people-centered stories and case studies can complement technical information and foster a deeper understanding of disease management strategies,” Tessa said.

You can read Tessa’s Kellogg report ‘Eradicating complacency’ here.

Carlos Bagrie, 2024 Nuffield Scholar.

Most readers will know about Royalburn’s new beer Swifty. Carlos Bagrie worked closely with Garage Project to produce a refreshing and highly accessible beer, made from the Station’s own barley. You can read the article here (scroll to page 34).

Nuffield featured on an episode of Nadia’s Farm recently Season 2, Episode 6. If you are all signed up for TV3 OnDemand, check it out. (Image is on the steps of the Beehive just prior to the Nuffield Awards, November 2023).

Alumni in the Spotlight – Jenna Smith and Rachel Baker in Brazil.

2024 Nuffield Scholars from across the globe headed to Campo Grande in Brazil for the Contemporary Scholars Conference (CSC). Our own Scholars: Rachel Baker, Jenna Smith, Carlos Bagrie and Peter Templeton joined Rural Leaders CEO, Lisa Rogers and Chair, Kate Scott at the Conference. For many, the Conference kicks off their research travels officially.

To give some idea of the sights seen and insights gained on the nearly month-long time abroad on the CSC and post conference tours, we share a few of Jenna and Rachel’s LinkedIn posts and images. (There’s a couple there from Lisa Rogers as well).

Rachel Baker,
Post 1

Ready…set…fly! I’m heading off with my fellow Nuffield NZ 2024 scholars for the CSC Scholars Conference in Campo Grande, Brazil. Looking forward to connections, learning and new experiences while flying the flag for the NZ food sector.

Jenna Smith,
Post 1

“Everyone wants to go to heaven – but nobody wants to die…”

And herein lies the complexity when having global discussions about decarbonisation – let alone our domestic perspective on our responsibilities.

I’ve had a fascinating start to the Nuffield Contemporary Scholars Conference here in Brazil. Really thought provoking initiatives and conversations about some wicked problems.

Although not perfect – and none of us are – I’ve really enjoyed hearing about Mato Grosso do Suls journey to sustainability, and their ambition to ‘Make it Happen’.

Rachel,
Post 2

My impression of my time in Brazil is of a vast country, of contrasts, and big aspirations for the world stage. A proud patriotic people, of mixed origin and traditions, welcoming and open with visitors.

Policy makers want to bring biodiversity to the forefront of global climate change conversation, believing decarbonisation is a Northern Hemisphere agenda. By law, a % of farmed land has to be retired and planted, from 20% in Mato Grossa du Sol to 80% in the Amazon. Satellite imagery is used for compliance.

Food production is simply mind boggling in scale – they are the world’s 4th largest producer of food and the 3rd largest exporter of food (forecast to be 2nd by FAO). Orange juice, coffee, sugar cane, soya, beef…so much food. Private capital is funding investment which is accelerating growth and opportunity.

Brazil is a country on a growth trajectory well worth following – their scale will create both influence and impact.

Jenna,
Post 2

Visiting Aldeia Brejão and the Terēna people on the Nioaque Indigenous Land, in Mato Grosso do Sul was something I’ll play back over and over again. Their sheer determination to be a part of the solution, even with little influence, was awe-inspiring.

This Indigenous community spoke at length about their part and the importance in bringing together ecosystem diversity.

They also know all too well the impact climate change is having on their way of life. The volatile weather patterns have meant it is increasingly harder for them to live from the land according to traditional methods.

Added to this they are noticing the degradation of their natural resources coming through their settlement.

They’re having the conversations that many of us put in the too hard basket, because they don’t have the luxury of sitting by and waiting for solutions to come to them.

Rachel,
Post 3

An insight into coffee production from my Nuffield travels in Brazil.

🌳Brazil is one of the world’s largest arabica coffee producers, of which ~50% is exported. Check where your coffee beans are sourced, it’s very likely to be from Brazil!

🤝We visited Cocapec, a coffee cooperative in Franca in Sao Paulo state, which receives and processes 1.5m tonnes of green coffee beans from 3,000 members for sale on a trading platform.

🌱Supply is from 100,000 ha of plantation, from 5-10 ha properties to thousands of hectares.

🚚Trucks are emptied by hydraulics, which lift the entire truck!

👩‍🌾The grower keeps ownership and control of their beans through to the point of sale, instructing the Cooperative what and when to sell and an expected price.

☕️Coffee beans are grower currency, they can pay for goods they purchase from Cocapec with coffee.

❄️The sector was impacted heavily by a huge unforeseen frost event in 2021, followed by a prolonged dry period, which killed or damaged trees and reduced yield by 50%. Yields are nearly back to 2020 levels.

🌱Harvest is now predominantly mechanized which reduces costs by 25-30%.

👨‍🌾Farmers are supported by Cocapec agronomists, scientists, laboratory testing, farm supplies as well as government scientists and training opportunities. The Co-op also provides favourable finance options to members for machinery purchases.

💰Coffee has a competitive grower cooperative environment and Cocapec is actively recruiting new members.

Rachel,
Post 4

Sugarcane insights from my recent Nuffield travels in Brazil.

Brazil is the world’s largest producer of sugarcane and the highest ethanol producer from sugarcane (the US is the largest ethanol producer, mainly from corn).

🍬The largest global consumers of sugar are India and China.

⚡️Brazilian ethanol producers want to reshape the future of global energy, providing “profitable and sustainable decarbonisation energy solutions”

🌱 Sugarcane is grown on a 7-8 year cycle, yields ~100 tonnes/ha at maturity (5-6m tall), is deep-rooted so doesn’t usually require irrigation.

☀️ Sugarcane is ~12% sugar, 70% water and 18% bagasse (fibrous pulp), straw and minerals.

⚡️Products of sugarcane processing are sugar, ethanol and clean energy (bioelectricity). The process can operate as a circular economy with 99% of by-products reused e.g. 2nd generation ethanol, fertiliser, compost.

🌽Compared to corn, sugarcane produces twice the yield of ethanol for the same area.

🚜 Sugarcane planting and harvesting has progressed to ultra-precision planting with full automation no tillage (reduced GHG emissions by 43%), dual mechanised harvesting and integrated pest management (85% biological). Fuel for the 500-600hp machinery is still diesel but hydrogen and ethanol injection is being trialled.

🚘 Cars and light vehicles in Brazil are fuel-flexible and can run on ethanol (NZ$1.05/L) or an ethanol/gasoline (NZ$1.64/L) blend. I didn’t see any electric or hybrid vehicles.

🏭 We visited one of Sao Martinho’s four sugarcane mills. SM is a large 49% publicly listed company. At this mill they process 10 million tonnes of sugarcane (from 130,000 ha) from April to November with a truck arriving every 1.8 minutes for 220 days! 50% of the bioelectricity produced is sold to the national grid and all fleet vehicles run on 100% ethanol.

❓️Could Australia be the ethanol energy supplier to the Pacific?

Saves you asking – Kellogg FAQ’s.

The following questions and answers relate to 2024’s Programme Two, however they are likely to be accurate and relevant for some time into the future.

What is the total time commitment for the Programme?

18 days face to face, 50 days on individual research, all within a six-month span. The recommended time commitment is about 300 hours to complete your individual research report.

Do you have any tricks or tips for completing my application?

Get started sooner. Don’t bury the good stuff. Read it out loud. More tips and tricks are available on our website.

Is there a specific area that I have to study?

Scholars have the freedom to pursue a topic of personal and professional interest. Whatever the topic, you should aim to stretch you knowledge and understanding of it.

Should I have a research topic in mind before I start the Programme?

Yes, that is ideal. Often your topic is in plain sight and is something you’re genuinely interested in. If you do not have an exact topic in mind, arrive with some ideas you might like to discuss further.

What speakers, or industry leaders can I expect to hear from, or meet during the Programme?

We bring a cross-section of industry leaders and experts to the Programme. They’ll present to you, coach you, share stories and network with you. Some of the people you may hear from, or meet, include global leaders in agribusiness, CEO’s, politicians, owners of well-known private businesses in food and fibre, media operators e.g., PR consultants.

You may also hear from Rural Leaders’ Partners, including: Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Zespri, DairyNZ, Rabobank, Farmlands Cooperative, and more.

Can I get University credits for my Kellogg?

Yes, both Lincoln and Massey Universities have accredited Kellogg and are offering credits towards post-graduate degrees. You can opt into a Postgraduate Certificate in Commerce, giving you 60 credits towards the 180 required credits for a Lincoln University taught master’s degree.

You can also elect to use your 60 credits towards a master’s degree at Massey University. Another option is the Recognised Prior Learning (RPL), which can be credited towards a postgraduate qualification.

How long does the report have to be? How many pages?

We get asked this a lot. It’s 10,000 words. That’s roughly 20 pages (at ten point font).

How do I know if I am eligible to do a Kellogg?

The Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme is for mid-career professionals either behind or in front of the farm gate. It is for those who are emerging strategic leaders, perhaps transitioning from operational or technical roles to a more generalist leadership role – or intend to at some point in the future.

Do I need to have been to University? Do I need to work on a farm?

No you don’t. To both questions.

How many people are on each programme?

We have an upper limit of approximately 24 Scholars for each programme.

What are the selection criteria?

In any application we like to see a capacity to contribute to the learning process. We select Scholars from a mix of backgrounds and regions, as well as pan-sector representation. This enriches discussions, expands knowledge sharing and the cross-pollination of ideas.

What is the full cost of the Programme?

The fee is $6,995 +GST. The actual delivery of the Programme costs approximately $21,000 per person, but the shortfall is covered by our strategic and programme partners: AGMARDT, FMG, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, DairyNZ, Mackenzie Charitable Foundation, Horticulture NZ, FAR, Farmlands Cooperative, MPI, Rabobank, Zespri, and LIC.

Do I need to organise my own travel?

Yes, you travel the way that’s most convenient. We provide assistance by booking accommodation for the whole group.

The Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme has been developing leaders for the rural and agri-food sector since 1979.

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The Nuffield New Zealand Farming Scholarship is one of the most valued awards in New Zealand’s primary sector.

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Innovating for our fast-changing value chains.

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Fast-track your food and fibre skills, knowledge, and confidence.

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Murray King, 2003 Nuffield Scholar, ONZM

Penny Timmer-Arends, 2023 Kellogg Scholar

Alison Bentley, 2023 Kellogg Scholar

Mihi Harris, 2021 Kellogg Scholar

Robert ‘Robin’ Campbell, 1980 Kellogg Scholar, ONZM

Bryan Guy, 1990 Kellogg Scholar, KSM

Grahame Webber, 1988 Kellogg Scholar, KSM

Carlos Bagrie, 2024 Nuffield Scholar, ONZM

Karen Williams, 2023 Value Chain Innovation Programme

Kate Kellick, 2024 Kellogg Scholar.

Reuben Carter, 2015 Kellogg Scholar and 2024 HortNZ Leadership Programme graduate.

Tracy Brown, 2020 Nuffield Scholar.

Rosie Dowling, 2014 Kellogg Scholar.

Anna Nelson, 2016 Kellogg Scholar.

Sarah How (Tait), 2018 Kellogg Scholar.

Alison Bentley, 2023 Kellogg Scholar.

Ben McLauchlan, 2020 Nuffield Scholar.

Tracy Brown, 2020 Nuffield Scholar. Cam Henderson, 2019 Nuffield and 2017 Kellogg Scholar.

Hamish Marr, 2019 Nuffield Scholar.

Wayne Langford, 2014 Kellogg Scholar.

The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust (Rural Leaders) is pleased to announce the renewal of its partnership agreement with Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ).

Ben Todhunter, 2006 Nuffield Scholar.

Jen Corkran, 2023 Kellogg Scholar.

Paul Crick, 2015 Kellogg Scholar.

Nathan Guy, 1999 Kellogg Scholar.

Isabelle Coates, 2022 Kellogg Scholar.

Kate Scott, 2018 Nuffield Scholar.

Matt Iremonger, 2023 Nuffield Scholar.

The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust (Rural Leaders) is pleased to announce the renewal of its Strategic Partnership agreement with DairyNZ.

The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust (Rural Leaders) and Nuffield New Zealand are saddened by the recent passing of Garrick Murfitt, 1977 Nuffield Scholar.

The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust (Rural Leaders) is pleased to announce the renewal of its long-running Programme Partnership agreement with Zespri.

Julian Raine, 1997 Nuffield Scholar.

Jason Te Brake, 2014 Kellogg Scholar.

Kate Scott, 2018 Nuffield Scholar.

Tracy Brown, 2020 Nuffield Scholar.

Anna Gower-James, 2023 Kellogg Scholar.

Dan Eb, David Eade, John Foley, 2021 Nuffield Scholars.

Cheyenne Wilson, 2024 Kellogg Scholar.

Kylie Leonard, 2023 Nuffield Scholar.

Emma Crutchley, 2018 Kellogg Scholar.

Gilman and Rural Leaders forge Food and Fibre education alliance.

The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust (Rural Leaders) is pleased to announce the renewal of its Programme Partnership agreement with Farmlands.

The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust (Rural Leaders) is pleased to announce the renewal of the Programme Partnership agreement with the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR).

The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust (Rural Leaders) is pleased to announce the renewal of its Strategic Partnership agreement with the Mackenzie Charitable Foundation.

Mackenzie Charitable Foundation background.

Michael Tayler, 2012 Nuffield Scholar.

Lucie Douma, 2022 Nuffield Scholar.

Matt Iremonger, 2023 Nuffield Scholar.

James Allen, 2023 Nuffield Scholar.

Tessa Appleby, 2023 Kellogg Scholar.

Carlos Bagrie, 2024 Nuffield Scholar.

Rachel Baker, Post 1

Jenna Smith,Post 1

Rachel,Post 2

Jenna,Post 2

Rachel, Post 3

Rachel,Post 4

The following questions and answers relate to 2024’s Programme Two, however they are likely to be accurate and relevant for some time into the future.

What is the total time commitment for the Programme?

Do you have any tricks or tips for completing my application?

Is there a specific area that I have to study?

Rachel Baker,
Post 1

Jenna Smith,
Post 1

Rachel,
Post 2

Jenna,
Post 2

Rachel,
Post 3

Rachel,
Post 4