The four new 2027 Nuffield NZ farming Scholars will explore global agricultural innovation and bring fresh perspectives, knowledge and connections back to New Zealand’s food and fibre sector.
Rural Leaders is pleased to announce the renewal of its Strategic Partnership with DairyNZ, extending a relationship that has supported leadership development across New Zealand’s dairy sector since 2017.
A newly signed partnership agreement between LIC and New Zealand Rural Leaders. Together, the two organisations are investing in leaders who can help New Zealand navigate an increasingly complex future. Rapid advances in technology, changing consumer expectations, climate adaptation and shifting global markets are reshaping the sector, creating both challenges and opportunity.
At Nuffield New Zealand’s 75th Anniversary Dinner, the Hopkins family honoured John and Elaine Hopkins’ legacy by funding another scholarship. Their gift supports 2026 Scholar Jared Clarke, continuing decades of generosity and investment in New Zealand’s future agricultural leaders.
The 2026 Horticulture New Zealand Leadership Programme will help prepare current and emerging Hort leaders to capture the opportunities and to confidently address the challenges across horticulture.
The programme is delivered by Rural Leaders.
The Agri Educators Leadership Programme brought together 18 passionate teachers from across Aotearoa.
Delivered through a collaboration between Sow the Seed, Horticulture and Agriculture Teachers Association, Primary People (Lynsey Stratford), and Rural Leaders, the programme focused on building leadership capability and strengthening connections across the agri-education community.
The Board of Trustees for the NZ Rural Leadership Trust has appointed Christchurch-based James Ryan as Chief Executive Officer of Rural Leaders.
NZ Nuffield Scholars share five key learnings from the 2026 Contemporary Scholars Conference in Japan — the first CSC held in Asia — covering food security and more.
After nearly nine years with Rural Leaders, including the last two and a half years as Chief Executive Officer, Lisa Rogers has decided the time is right to move on from her role, effective 9 January 2026. During her time with the Trust, Lisa has made a significant and lasting contribution. She has led Rural
The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust (Rural Leaders) is pleased to announce the appointment of Renée Walker as Kellogg Programme Facilitator. Renée will join Kellogg Programme One 2026. For Renée Walker, Rural Leaders’ newly appointed Kellogg Programme facilitator, leadership has always been about people – seeing them, understanding them, and helping them unlock their own
Last night (Tues 4 Nov) at Parliament, in front of Rural Leaders’ investing partners and political and industry leaders, Hon. Minister Todd McClay awarded the 2026 Nuffield Scholarships to four new leaders. Nuffield Farming Scholarships have been awarded to New Zealand’s Primary Industries leaders for 75 years. With a global network of more than 2,000
The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust (Rural Leaders) is pleased to announce the renewal of their Strategic Partnership agreement with FMG. Rural Leaders and Strategic Partner FMG, have renewed their partnership agreement, reinforcing a shared commitment to lifting leadership capability and to building stronger rural communities. The new agreement formalises the continued alignment of values
MyLead.co.nz offers personalised leadership development pathways for food and fibre sector professionals across three stages: leading self, others and strategy.
Rural Leaders are pleased to present the final reports for the 2024 Nuffield New Zealand Farming Scholars. Reports are from Carlos Bagrie, Rachel Baker, Jenna Smith and Peter Templeton.
The Nuffield 2025 Contemporary Scholars Conference connected global agricultural leaders in Auckland for nine days of learning, networking, and industry insights.
The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust are seeking applications for the 2024 Associate Trustee role. Apply by 28 February.
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
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
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
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,
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
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
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
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
