Rural Leaders Newsletter

Jenni Vernon – Insights from a career built on taking the lead.

May 2, 2025

In this podcast, Jenni Vernon, 1994 Nuffield Scholar, Farmer, and former Chair of Environment Waikato, talks to Bryan Gibson, Managing Editor at Farmers Weekly, about how a lifetime of leadership in rural communities began with a strong connection to farming and a willingness to step forward.

Jenni also talks through her Nuffield research, the lasting value of global perspective, and why rural leadership remains as vital as ever – even as the pathways to it continue to evolve.

Read More »

Emily Walker – making an impact in New Zealand agribusiness.

March 24, 2025

In 2022, Emily was awarded the Mackenzie Charitable Foundation Scholarship, a pivotal moment in her career. 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.

Read More »

Thomas Holmes – scholarship opens doors for Canterbury arable farmer.

March 24, 2025

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.

Read More »

Isabelle Coates – networking, leadership, and giving back.

March 24, 2025

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.

Read More »

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

December 18, 2024

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

Read More »

Dave Nuku on Kaitiakitanga and adopting a long term view.

December 17, 2024

In this podcast, Dave Nuku, 2024 Kellogg Scholar, talks to Bryan Gibson, Managing Editor at Farmers Weekly, on his work with Ngamanawa Incorporation and about how adopting a philosophy of Kaitiakitanga can be in alignment with a strong and profitable business. Listen to the podcast here. Bryan Gibson – Managing Editor of Farmer’s Weekly.You’ve joined

Read More »

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

November 28, 2024

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

Read More »

Reimagining Local Economies: How Small-scale Farming and Community-based Models can Build Climate Resilience.

November 28, 2024

Alison Bentley (Tikitere Farm and 2023 Kellogg Scholar) spoke yesterday at the event ‘Global and Local Approaches to Climate-Resilient Land Use: NZ’s Path Forward,’ at Lincoln University. Alison joined Angela Clifford (CEO, Eat New Zealand), in Session 2: Resilient Food Systems: Small-scale and Local?  As the effects of climate change and economic instability become harder

Read More »

Esther Donkersloot on leading research into cooler cows.

November 28, 2024

In this podcast, Esther Donkersloot, 2024 Kellogg Scholar, talks to Bryan Gibson, Managing Editor at Farmers Weekly, about her research with LIC on breeding heat tolerant cows. Esther came to New Zealand to do her Masters’ thesis and never left. Good thing too. Having studied at the prestigious Wageningen University, she has steadily built a

Read More »

Jack Cocks – How resilient farmers thrive in the face of adversity.

October 6, 2024

In this podcast Jack Cocks, 2021 Kellogg Scholar talks to Bryan Gibson Managing Editor Farmers Weekly, about his research into resilience in the face of adversity. Jack faced his own adversity in the form of a brain aneurysm that sparked a recovery journey spanning 15 surgeries over six years.  Jack works on Mt. Nicholas Station

Read More »

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

September 10, 2024

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.

Read More »

Lisa Rogers – Leadership Programmes and Pathways.

August 13, 2024

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.

Read More »

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

August 6, 2024

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.

Read More »

The search for our 2025 Nuffield Scholars begins.

May 20, 2024

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

Read More »

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

May 20, 2024

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

Read More »