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...

Rural Leaders News

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

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Rural Leaders deliver food security programme for US Gilman Scholarship alumni.

Rural Leaders deliver food security programme for Gilman Scholarship alumni.

‘Mission New Zealand – Navigating Geopolitical Tensions and Climate Change as an Agri-based Economy’, was a week-long programme delivered by Rural Leaders in Christchurch.

The programme wrapped up recently and was designed to give a group of 25 visiting Gilman Scholarship alumni a deep dive into global food security.

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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

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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,

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Lisa Rogers – Leadership Programmes and Pathways.

In this podcast, Lisa Rogers, CEO, Rural Leaders talks to Bryan Gibson, Managing Editor, Farmers Weekly about the recently released report ‘A Path to Realising Leadership Potential in Aotearoa NZ’s Food and Fibre Sector’, along with its leadership development framework, and the leadership programmes serving as key tools for building more and ever greater leaders.

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Rachel Baker – Insights (from an insider) on the Nuffield Global Focus Programme.

Halfway through the 2024 Scholarship Programme, Scholar, Rachel Baker gives us a unique perspective from inside Nuffield. Rachel speaks with Bryan Gibson, Farmers Weekly Managing Editor, about some of the similarities and differences between the farming systems in the countries visited so far with New Zealand’s.

Rachel discusses insights from Indonesia’s farming industries, France’s love of food, Denmark entering an emissions scheme, California’s water challenges and Chile’s low rates of Research and Development.

This is a must listen for anyone considering a Nuffield Scholarship.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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’

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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

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The search for our 2025 Nuffield Scholars begins.

Just 189 Scholars in nearly 75 years. The Nuffield network in New Zealand is a small group, doing big things, humbly. We’re looking for our bold, grounded and community-minded to step up as Nuffield Scholar 190, 191, 192, 193 and possibly 194.  If you’re ready to undertake a truly unique learning experience. If you are

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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

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Campbell Parker – Leading with authenticity in a fast-changing sector.

Dr Matt Sowcik is currently on sabbatical from his role as Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Education and leadership at University of Florida. As part of his tour, he joined the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme in Lincoln. He spoke to Scholars (and Bryan Gibson) about the power of humility in leadership and its role in working together for a common cause.

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New Energy – The 2024 Nuffield Biennial Conference.

Dr Matt Sowcik is currently on sabbatical from his role as Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Education and leadership at University of Florida. As part of his tour, he joined the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme in Lincoln. He spoke to Scholars (and Bryan Gibson) about the power of humility in leadership and its role in working together for a common cause.

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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

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