We hope that you are safe and managing well during these extraordinary times. In this newsletter we’re pleased to bring you the latest updates from NZ Rural Leaders as follows:
- Welcome to our new CEO – Chris Parsons & Board Trustee – Kate Scott
- Register now for the 2019 Nuffield Scholar webinar series
- Register now for the Nuffield International webinar
- Nuffield 2020 Scholars – scholarship programme post COVID19
- Nuffield2020 Triennial postponed
- Meet our new Programme Partner – Rabobank, and more…
- Nuffielders in the news
The Rural Leader’s team have been working remotely and ensuring communications with our alumni. Tamney and Lisa are happy to help with any enquires you have regarding the Nuffield Scholarship Programme – Programmes@ruralleaders.co.nz.
We’re excited to continue delivering future leaders through the Nuffield NZ Farming Scholarships as we recognise that strong leadership at every level will be needed over the next 12-18 months and well beyond.
The Team at Rural Leaders

Rural Leaders welcomes new CEO – Chris Parsons and new Trustee – Kate Scott
We are pleased to announce that Chris Parsons joined us on Monday, 4 May as our new CEO and we welcomed
Kate Scott (2018 Nuffield Scholar) as a new Trustee on the NZ Rural Leader’s Board.
Register Now!
Nuffield Webinar series – 2019 presenting Scholars

Yesterday we kicked off the Nuffield Webinar series where our 2019 Nuffield Scholars Hamish Murray and Corrigan Sowman presented their research findings. Next Tuesday (26th May) we’ll hear from Cameron Henderson and Hamish Marr, followed by our final 2019 presentation by Ben Hancock on Tuesday, 2nd June.
We’re delighted to deliver this webinar series to you following the postponement of the Nuffield Conference where our scholars were originally due to present.
Be sure to register for the webinars and join us in supporting fellow Rural Leaders alumni who will be presenting virtually for the first time.
Click here to register for the weekly webinar series
For those of you who are unable to join the webinars, we will be emailing you the recorded webinars to watch at your convenience. And look out for an invite in the coming weeks to join the 2018 Nuffield scholars’ presentation webinar series which will commence shortly after the 2019 scholars’ presentations.
Tuesday
19 May 2020
Tuesday
26 May 2020
Tuesday
2 June 2020





Corrigan Sowman
Farming in a Pressure Cooker
Hamish Murray
Future Farm Workplaces
Hamish
Marr
Can we farm without Glyphosate?
Cam Henderson
Farming Energy
Ben
Hancock
Taming the wicked problems

REGISTER NOW! NUFFIELD INTERNATIONAL WEBINAR
Register now for the Nuffield Talks Webinar hosted by Nuffield Brazil, where you’ll hear from four Brazilian scholars about preparing for the next 24 months – views from grain farmers around the world.
The event will be broadcast live on YouTube on Thursday, 21 May at 10am (Auckland time zone) and participants will be able to write their questions via the chat function during the webinar.
Register here for the webinar www.bit.ly/nuffieldtalks2005.
Make sure you follow the Nuffield International Farming Network on YouTube.
Nuffield Programmes 2020 & 2021

It is evident we are in for a couple of unusual years where we need to stay flexible and creative in the delivery of all our programmes.
Click here to read our May update on what comes next for Nuffield.
Nuffield2020 Triennial postponed

The Nuffield2020 Triennial was to be one of the largest events in New Zealand that Rural Leaders would host. The decision to postpone the event was made in March, following the government border and lockdown decisions.
As we’ve had a great deal of support from those registered to deliver the event again, a decision will be made soon about rescheduling this event in the future.
Nuffielders in the news
Mat Hocken on working smarter
Mat Hocken, 2017 Nuffield NZ Scholar and Chairman of the Rural Innovation Lab recently featured on Sarah’s Country along with his wife Jana. They talked to Sarah about the concept behind their venture the Rural Innovation Lab and how to work smarter, not harder.
Craige Mackenzie on Climate Change
Craig Mackenzie, 2008 Nuffield Scholar, recently featured in the Irrigation NZ News, Autumn 2020 edition (see page 16). With knowledge about climate change and the environment, farming for the future is a passion for Craige. Read the full article here ‘Climate change: A Farmer’s perspective.’
Nadine Porter in Wales
Nadine is a 2017 Nuffield NZ Scholar and in recent years has been living in Wales. Earlier this year, she was appointed to the Welsh Red Meat Promotion Board (Hybu Cig Cymru) for a period of three years. “This position allows me to advance my views on the need for global messaging around red meat