2026 Nuffield NZ Farming Scholarship. Apply by 17 August 2025. Read More...

Apply for 2026 Nuffield NZ Farming Scholarship by 17 August 2025. More details...

Nuffield Events

NZRLT (Rural Leaders) Leadership update.

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 Leaders through several major projects and periods of change, and now feels the time is right for someone new to build on this work and continue to advance the Trust.

While the Board is saddened by Lisa’s decision to move on, it fully supports her choice and is confident that her influence on Rural Leaders and rural leadership will continue well beyond her tenure with the organisation.

The Board will begin a recruitment process in the new year. Over the coming weeks, we will also work with the Rural Leaders’ team to ensure the continued delivery of our programmes.

The Board is very confident in the teams’ ability to continue to deliver to the high standard they are known for during this period of change.

If you would like to discuss this announcement further, please feel free to get in touch at Kate@landpro.co.nz

Kind regards,
Kate Scott
Board Chair, NZ Rural Leadership Trust

2026 Nuffield NZ Farming Scholars announced.

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 alumni, 197 of these from New Zealand, Nuffield continues to help build rural leadership capability and Food and Fibre NZ’s global profile.

Last night 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.

The 2026 scholars represent three regions and several industries including dairy, aquaculture, and red meat.

The cohort will undertake a Rural Leaders delivered programme that offers a life-changing opportunity for travel, study of the latest agriculture innovations and an introduction to decision-makers around the world.

The new scholars were announced by Minister McClay as: Clare Bradley, a Bay of Plenty Aquaculturalist, Jared Clarke, a Canterbury Farmer, Kelly Heckler, an Otago Farmer, and Tracey Perkins, a Canterbury Farmer. They are the 194th, 195th, 196th and 197th New Zealand scholars respectively.

“Clare, Jared, Kelly and Tracey have shown they value giving back to community and industry, they display innovative approaches to their work, and they have demonstrated a track record of meeting challenges head on. 

Ultimately, they are now tasked with finding those deep insights that will create lasting benefit for New Zealand food and fibre, their industries and their communities,” said Kate Scott, Rural Leaders and Nuffield NZ Chair.

Lisa Rogers, Rural Leaders’ CEO added, “Clare, Jared, Kelly and Tracey have each exhibited the characteristics that embody a Nuffield Scholar and ambassador for NZ Food and Fibre.”

Introducing the 2026 Nuffield New Zealand Farming Scholars.

Clare Bradley, CEO AgriSea, Bay of Plenty
Clare Bradley is based in Paeroa with her children and husband AgriSea Chief Innovation Officer, Tane. Clare, CEO, leads a 30-strong team pioneering seaweed-based bio-stimulants, animal health supplements, and high-value hydrogels for agriculture and biotechnology. 

Clare is a leading advocate for the sustainable growth of Aotearoa’s seaweed sector. Guided by appreciation & respect for the marine environment, Clare has championed innovation that protects New Zealand’s underwater forests while creating economic, environmental, and cultural value. 

As the founding Chair of the Aotearoa New Zealand Seaweed Association, and Rere ki Uta, Rere ki tai, Clare is driving collaboration between Western science and Mātauranga Māori to build a trusted, sustainable sector. 

Under her leadership, AgriSea promotes local empowerment, zero-waste production, and circular economy principles. Known for her environmental vision, Clare continues to shape New Zealand’s emerging blue economy, turning the country’s rich marine biodiversity into a model of innovation and guardianship.

Clare’s Nuffield research is likely to explore the economic, environmental, and logistical viability of smaller, decentralised processing hubs and whether they can create local jobs, strengthen value chains, and enhance commercial resilience.

Jared Clarke, Farmer, Canterbury (John Hopkins Scholarship Award Winner)
Jared Clarke is a Canterbury dairy farmer with a strong record of performance, innovation and team development. A Lincoln University B.Ag.Sci (Hons) graduate.

From 2017 to 2022, Jared and his wife Victoria operated Two Rivers Ltd, a 50/50 sharemilking business milking 2,000 cows. In 2022, they formed an equity partnership and purchased Mount Rivers Ltd, a 1,000-cow irrigated dairy farm supplying A2 milk to Synlait. Under their leadership, the business has delivered high returns, sustainability initiatives and strong team retention. 

Jared believes that “turning sunlight into food is a noble task.” Known for his ability to ignore constraints, he enjoys helping fellow farmers where he can on performance, people and innovation. 

Off-farm, Jared’s governance work includes director of Barrhill Chertsey Ltd, a member of the Canterbury Farm Business Group, and a former member of LIC’s Shareholder Reference Group.

Interested (and passionate) about the potential for a reduced reliance on imported energy, both on-farm and at a national level, Jared’s Nuffield research is likely to be on the generation and storage of energy.

Kelly Heckler, Farmer, Community Leader, Central Otago
Kelly Heckler and her family farm Lauder Creek, a high-country sheep and beef property in the Manuherekia catchment of Central Otago.

Kelly is a values-driven leader and advocate for sustainable food and fibre production, recognised for her commitment to intergenerational resilience in New Zealand’s primary industries. 

As chairperson of Otago Water Resource Users Group, Kelly led the organisation through a major transformation, restructuring it into a formal incorporated society to improve accountability and adaptability. “Real impact doesn’t always come with grand gestures … it’s often about steady progress behind the scenes,” says Kelly.

Kelly’s leadership philosophy centres on authenticity and collaboration. Her experience navigating policy reform and community engagement has deepened her understanding of the challenges facing rural New Zealand.

Kelly aims to build a resilient, intergenerational farming business and advance innovative farm-planning solutions that support people and environment. She sees the future of agriculture as one built on integrity, communication, and shared purpose. “When we bring people together behind a common vision, we can shape a thriving, sustainable future for generations to come,” added Kelly.

Kelly is exploring research in Freshwater Management with specific focus on water allocation in overallocated catchments.

Tracey Perkins – Farmer, Sustainable Land and Water Management Advisor, Founder of AgriThrive

Tracey Perkins is a Canterbury-based dairy farmer, facilitator, and sustainable land and water management advisor who combines hands-on agricultural experience with a deep commitment to helping rural communities thrive.

Living in Darfield on a 1050-cow dairy farm with her partner Jonny and their three children, Tracey balances family life with leadership in sustainable land use and rural development.

Of Ngā Puhi and Raukawa descent, Tracey brings both cultural grounding and practical expertise to her work.

As the Founder and Lead Facilitator of AgriThrive, she is the only agricultural facilitator in New Zealand using a trauma-informed, farmer-to-farmer approach. A graduate of the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, she has over a decade of professional experience in biosecurity and environmental sustainability.

Tracey’s achievements include forming and guiding numerous Canterbury catchment and community groups, leading successful teams, and recently serving as Campaign Manager for Selwyn Mayor Lydia Gliddon.

She is passionate about empowering people to build resilient, solutions-focused communities. Whether through AgriThrive, local schools, or industry leadership, she champions collaboration, sustainability, and the belief that lasting change starts with people.

Tracey intends to explore “The Third Model,” an approach integrating Indigenous stewardship principles with the operational and economic realities of intensive agriculture to create a sustainable foundation for New Zealand’s future.

Congratulations to the four 2026 Nuffield scholars.

For more information about the Nuffield New Zealand Farming Scholarships,
go to https://ruralleaders.co.nz/nuffield

 

Fresh from their award night, our Nuffield Scholars featured in a RNZ interview, listen here:

The Nuffield 2025 Contemporary Scholars Conference.

The Nuffield 2025 Contemporary Scholars Conference
The Nuffield 2025 Contemporary Scholars Conference

The Nuffield 2025 Contemporary Scholars Conference (CSC) wrapped up last week in Auckland, running March 8 to March 16. 

This CSC, organised by Rural Leaders and hosted by Rural Leaders and Nuffield International, brought together over 100 newly selected Nuffield Scholars from around the globe. The CSC offered scholars an immersive experience through a series of carefully curated activities, workshops and speakers.

It’s an immersive platform for new scholars to engage with thought leaders to address global agricultural challenges. The 9-day programme featured presentations, panel discussions, and field trips. This year’s conference emphasised leadership development, critical thinking, effective communication, wellbeing, Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, trade and exposure to New Zealand’s unique value chains.

For Rural Leaders, hosting this CSC provided an opportunity to showcase Aotearoa’s advancements in the food and fibre sector. Participants explored local farming systems, sustainability practices, and technological innovations, gaining insights into how New Zealand maintains its competitive edge in global agriculture. 

An important aspect of the CSC is the networking among scholars, fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange. Many of these newly connected scholars will travel together internationally in small groups during their Global Focus Programme (GFP), another key chapter in the scholarship programme.

The GFP is a four-week tour across multiple countries, further enhancing scholars’ global perspective on agricultural practices.

CSC Programme highlights included:

Presentations: Scholars attended sessions led by global thought leaders addressing pressing agricultural challenges. These talks provided insights into innovative solutions and strategies shaping the future of agriculture.​

Speakers included: Jodie Redcliffe (Nuffield International and Australia CEO), Kate Scott (Nuffield/Rural Leaders Chair), Hon. Damien O’Connor MP, Christoph Graf Grote (Nuffield International Chair), Steve Kearney (Chief Mental Health Officer NZDF), Shannon Stallard (Lead with Virtue), Russell Pickering (The Pickering Group), Andrew Watene (Head of KPMG Propagate), Jessica Smith (Deputy Chief Executive at Te Tuapapa – Ministry for Housing and Urban Development), Marcin Markowicz,

(2023 Nuffield Scholar, Poland), Bruce Weir (GM Country Banking Rabobank), Campbell Parker (CEO DairyNZ), David Chin (CEO LIC), Tim Gibson (Director LIC), Corrigan Sowman (LIC Board Chair), Charlotte Rutherford (Dir. Of Sustainability Fonterra), Vangelis Vitalis (NZ Chief Trade Negotiator), Sally Thomson (Nuffield Executive – Brazil), Bev Flatt (Global Partnerships Manager – Agriculture Advocacy and Activiation, Bayer-Sponsor), Lisa Rogers (CEO Rural Leaders) and more. Thank you to all for giving your time and sharing your isnights.

Panel Discussions: Engaging panels allowed scholars to delve deeper into topics such as sustainable farming practices, climate change adaptation, and technological advancements in agriculture.​

Field trips: Participants embarked on field trips to local farming operations and agri-businesses, witnessing firsthand New Zealand’s cutting-edge agricultural practices and value chain innovations.​

These included: DairyNZ, LIC, Balle Bros., Plant and Food, Leaderbrand, Punchbowl and more.

Networking: The entire conference was essentially a networking session, enabling scholars to connect, share experiences, and lay the groundwork for future collaborations.​

And, did we mention the Nuffield Games? These were held near the end of the conference and, well, there’s really nothing like it.

While the true impact of this CSC will play out over time, these activities collectively enhance the scholars’ understanding of global agricultural dynamics equipping them with the knowledge to drive positive change in their respective regions and industries. For New Zealand – it puts the country front of mind amongst a large cohort of rising global rural leaders.

Feedback has been unanimously positive. The success of this CSC is underpinned by our conference sponsors’ generosity.

Rural Leaders, Nuffield NZ and Nuffield International wish to express their thanks to: Bayer, Nuveen, LIC, PWC, Rabobank, Laguna Bay and MyFarm Investments. Thank you for making this CSC possible.

You can download this CSC’s programme here for more detail on the conference’s nine days.

A huge thanks also to Phil Morrison for binding together the CSC’s insight threads so well during the conference. Phil facilitated the event expertly and was instrumental to its success.

For the 2025 Nuffield New Zealand Scholars: Lisa Portas, Dani Darke, Alan McDermott and Jon Pemberton, their journeys are underway and their research topics are now more carefully defined. During the CSC every 2025 scholar gave a 2-minute summary of their intended research.

Take a look at the topic presentations from our four 2025 NZ Scholars below:

The 2024 NZ Scholars will submit their completed reports in the coming weeks. We’ll share those widely after our investing partners have had a first preview.

2023 Nuffield New Zealand Scholars Announced

2023 Nuffield New Zealand Scholars Awarded.

Wellington, 8 November 2022

Congratulations to our 2023 Nuffield New Zealand Scholars!

Kerry Worsnop, a Gisborne based Sheep and Beef Farmer, Company Trustee, and Environmental Consultant.

Matt Iremonger, a Sheep and Beef and Dairy Farmer from Banks Peninsula, in Canterbury.

Kylie Leonard, a Taupo based Dairy Farmer, Governance Specialist, and dual Board Chair.

James Allen, a Waikato based Agribusiness Consultant and Managing Director.

Find out more about the 2023 recipients >>

Four emerging Food and Fibre Sector leaders have been awarded 2023 Nuffield New Zealand Farming Scholarships. Each has received their awards from Hon. Minister Damien O’Connor. The Awards Ceremony was held in the Grand Hall at Parliament in Wellington last night. The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust (Rural Leaders), who administer the Nuffield New Zealand Farming Scholarship, hosted the event.

Strong interest in the Nuffield Farming Scholarship.

This year saw the most applicants for the prestigious Nuffield Farming Scholarship since 2018. To ensure that the new 2023 Scholars can travel and gain international insights to the same level as their predecessors, The Nuffield Trustees increased the value of the Scholarship, in recognition of the increased cost of travel.

Correspondingly this has meant that only four Scholars were selected, making the competition to gain a coveted Scholarship even tougher this year. Each Scholar brings talent, passion, perspective, and a track record of performance. Their job now is to find insights and build foresight to benefit our sector.

“We wish to acknowledge all those who applied. The field of applicants was particularly strong and representative of the regions and industries within our Sector. It is safe to say, there is some real talent in our regions,” Said Chris Parsons, CEO, Rural Leaders.

The collective impact of Nuffield Scholars.

Nuffield Alumni’s collective impact on the Food and Fibre Sector has recently been highlighted by the Mackenzie Study, a Rural Leaders’ collaboration with The Otago University School of Business. The study maps the in-person and sector gains from participation in the Nuffield Programme. Some of the study’s findings include:

  • Nuffield Scholars hold 14 senior leadership roles over their career.
  • Each Scholar has created an average of 3.3 businesses.
  • And each creates an average of 48 FTE roles.

“The contribution and impact New Zealand Nuffield Scholars have made on New Zealand Agriculture, regionally, nationally and globally is significant, and it is a real pleasure to be able to see the opportunity that lies ahead of the 2023 scholars to continue to create impact for the future benefit of New Zealand Agriculture”, Said Kate Scott, Rural Leaders Board Chair.

In addressing the Rural Leaders’ Strategic Partners: AGMARDT, DairyNZ, Beef+LambNZ, Mackenzie Charitable Trust, and FMG, Kate Scott said, “The positive impact on New Zealand Agriculture that is created by New Zealand Nuffield Scholars would not be possible without the generous and ongoing support of our partner organisations, who are an integral part of our mission to create world class leaders for New Zealand.”

Within this context of achievement by Nuffield Alumni, the new 2023 Nuffield Scholars were announced by Minister O’Connor as:

Kerry Worsnop, a Gisborne based Sheep and Beef Farmer, Company Trustee, and Environmental Consultant.

Matt Iremonger, a Sheep and Beef and Dairy Farmer from Banks Peninsula, in Canterbury.

Kylie Leonard, a Taupo based Dairy Farmer, Governance Specialist, and dual Board Chair.

James Allen, a Waikato based Agribusiness Consultant and Managing Director.

The 2023 Nuffield Scholars’ research topics will cover a range of our biggest food and fibre challenges including: environmental health, social equity and economic performance, integration of beef production from the dairy industry, and fit for purpose rural professionals.

The Nuffield Scholars will bring a valuable global perspective to their research through an intensive travel itinerary of visits, meetings and experiences, designed to lead to a period of transformative personal insight and growth.

The four new Scholars will join the over 180 Nuffield Alumni, awarded scholarships over the last 71 years.

Find out more about the 2023 recipients >>

The 2023 Rural Leaders Agribusiness Summit.

Forefront - Rural Leaders Agribusiness Summit

The 2023 Rural Leaders Agribusiness Summit theme ‘Forefront’ reflects focus on the businesses making change and providing solutions to some of the sector’s biggest challenges and opportunities.  

The Summit seeks to promote global vision, leadership and innovation by demonstrating some of the practical solutions shown to mitigate the challenges facing agribusiness today.  

The Summit begins with a welcome and scene setting session snapshotting the imperative for change and the opportunities landscape. 

Guest speakers for this session include, Devry Boughner Vorwerk, CEO DevryBV.  

This opening session is designed to supercharge the discussion sessions to come, organised into three key streams:

Our World - Our Natural Environment

10-11:45am
 

This session explores leadership and innovation in the advancement and restoration of the natural resources critical to the future of agribusiness.

The session showcases those champions nurturing the environment while also remaining profitable. The session will also have a circular economy thread, exploring businesses redesigning food chains to remove waste and reuse product not consumed. 

Guest speakers will include:

Lain Jager, Chair, Te Puna Whakaaronui (NZ Primary Sector Think Tank)

Volker Kuntzsch, CEO, Cawthorn Institute

Followed by a panel discussion facilitated by Corin Dann.

Our People - Consumer Trends and Trade

12:45-2:30pm

The focus of this session will be on businesses responding to the unstoppable international trends of power shifting to the consumer, business models being challenged, and the eastern movement of the world’s economic centre of gravity. 

Delegates will be able to seize on the learnings of agri-food and consumer businesses meeting the challenges of fast-changing demographics, food trends and changes in consumer values.  

It also explores the opportunities that may arise for agribusiness as we experience a convergence of changing world population demographics and more transparent trade policy. 

Guest speakers will include:

Vangelis Vitalis, Deputy Secretary Trade and Economic, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Tom Sturgess, owner of Lone Star Farms

And a panel discussion facilitated by Corin Dann.

Our Future - Entrepreneurship & Leadership

3:00-4:30pm

The third session will concentrate on the future, social, economic and environmental wellbeing of agribusiness. The session will cover the areas where value will be derived in generations to come, showcasing world-leading business case studies and responsive new business models. 

Speakers from a range of industries will show how economic viability will be key to family business succession and intergenerational business value growth.  

Guest speakers so far include:

Traci Houpapa, MNZM

Angus Brown,

As with the previous two sessions, Corin Dann will facilitate a panel discussion.

 

To close out the day’s schedule, there will be a wrap-up focussing some of the key takeaways and action commitments.

This will run from 4:30 to 5:15pm and precede a networking drinks opportunity. 

Agribusiness Summit Dinner

7-10:30pm

Featuring Special Guest Speakers – Hon Minister Damien O’Connor and Te Radar.  

We’ll provide more information on the Summit, networking and dinner in the coming weeks across our networks as well as our Rural Leaders and Programmes social media pages.  

For Summit and Dinner prices and bookings visit https://au.eventscloud.com/agribusinesssummit

 

2021 Nuffield NZ Scholarships Awarded

2021 Nuffield Scholars

Photo from left to right: Lynsey Stratford, Daniel Eb, David Eade, Hon Minister Damien O’Connor, John Foley, Ben Anderson 

 

Media release, Tuesday, 3rd November 2020

The latest cohort of emerging leaders in New Zealand’s primary sector were awarded a 2021 Nuffield NZ Farming Scholarship at Parliament on 3rd November. The Scholarships were awarded by Hon Damien O’Connor, Minister of Agriculture, Biosecurity and Food Safety, Minister for Rural Communities and Minister of State for Trade and Export.

The 2021 Nuffield scholars are Ben Anderson, owner and manager of a dry stock farm in Hawkes Bay, David Eade, owner of a finishing block in Whanganui and GM of Apiary Solutions, Daniel Eb, Auckland based Communication Strategist, John Foley, Senior Seed Production Agronomist for PGG Wrightson Seeds in Christchurch and Lynsey Stratford, an equity partner in a 420 cow dairy farm in Curio Bay and Dairy Environment Leader with Dairy NZ.

Click here to read the 2021 Nuffield Scholar bios.

The travel programme for scholars next year will be different to previous years due to border closures resulting from COVID19.  Typically, the Nuffield Scholarship programme involves travel internationally for at least four months and participation in a Contemporary Scholars Conference with Nuffield Scholars from around the world. Followed by a six-week Global Focus Programme through several countries with other scholars. 

“Next year our scholars will start their programme with extensive national travel to gain greater insights and deeper understanding into New Zealand’s primary sector before embarking on any international travel” says Nuffield NZ Chairman, Andrew Watters.

“Although the programme will be delivered differently to previous years, it will offer scholars new opportunities and experiences, along with a global perspective whether or not scholars travel abroad” says Watters.

The five new Scholars will join more than 160 Nuffield alumni who have been awarded Nuffield Scholarships over the past 70 years. Their research topics are likely to cover a range of different agricultural issues such as climate change, fractional investing in agriculture, repositioning the role that farming plays in society, technology in agriculture around automation of roles and health, safety and wellbeing on farm.

2019 Regional Forums – August

Come along and bring a potential Nuffielder or Kellogger as a guest!

A new initiative to connect all our alumni in each region with a chance to;

  • meet and connect with other Kelloggers & Nuffielders in your region
  • bring and introduce someone who may be interested in doing a Kellogg or Nuffield programme in 2020 or in future
  • hear some insights from recent Nuffield & Kellogg scholar reports
  • connect with possible mentors/mentees
  • give feedback and interest in ongoing professional development or local initiatives

We have to start somewhere and have identified 6 regions for this year and will then will do different regions next year. Invitations will be sent to all alumni in those regions in next week.

  • Hawkes Bay – 13th August, Hawkes Bay
  • Bay of Plenty – 14th of August, Mt Maunganui
  • Nelson/Marlborough – 15th August, Blenheim
  • Northland – 20th August, Whangarei
  • Southland/Otago – 22nd August, Gore
  • Waikato – 27th August, Hamilton

Not in these regions?
If you know some potential Kelloggers or YOU can attend one of the below, we would love to see you or them!! Just contact usprogrammes@ruralleaders.co.nz as the invitation to the forums will only go to those in each region.

To register your interest in an event, email programmes@ruralleaders.co.nz

Nuffield International Triennial and NZ Nuffield Conference

20 March – 01 April 2020

Christchurch, New Zealand

 

Join us at Nuffield2020, the key forum for Nuffield alumni globally to get together for networking, ongoing learning and development. We have a programme that will focus on successful innovation and business models as we innovate for the future. Nuffield2020 coincides with our bi-annual Nuffield New Zealand conference and an important milestone of 70 years of the Nuffield New Zealand organisation and scholarships.

 

See the program of events and more information on our website www.nuffield2020.com

 

Contact:

Deb Gee  |  Conference Secretariat

secretariat@nuffield2020.com or +64 27 606 1810