Kate Tomlinson, Bridging Farming, Sustainability and Leadership.
For Kate Tomlinson, 2025 Mackenzie Charitable Foundation Scholarship winner and 2026 Kellogg Scholar, agriculture has never been just a career, it has been a way of life. Raised on a sheep and beef farm in County Durham, England, farming shaped her upbringing, her interests and ultimately her professional journey.
“Farming has always been part of my life. It’s always been, I’d say, in my blood,” she says. “It’s my family, it’s my friends, it’s my work, it’s what I do on my weekends off.”
Work based on practical farming experience, sustainability expertise and agricultural data analysis.
Now based in Methven, Mid Canterbury, Tomlinson has built a unique career that combines practical farming experience, sustainability expertise and agricultural data analysis.
As an Agricultural Sustainability Analyst Consultant with Map of Ag, she works across New Zealand and Australia, helping connect farm data with meaningful insights that support sustainability, animal welfare and environmental outcomes. Her role draws on a diverse background that includes farming, agricultural consultancy and research.
After studying at Harper Adams University, Tomlinson qualified as a rural chartered surveyor in the UK, advising farming businesses on land use, navigating agricultural, residential and commercial legislation and accessing environmental opportunities
Kellogg, the Mackenzie Charitable Foundation, and research into cultural diversity in Canterbury’s dairy workforce.
Tomlinson has recently graduated as a member of the 55th Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme cohort. As part of her Kellogg research project, Kate explored the growing cultural diversity of Canterbury’s dairy workforce.
You can view Kate’s report ‘Cultural Diversity of Canterbury’s Dairy Workforce’ here.
Having worked alongside colleagues from Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, India, Ireland and the United Kingdom, Kate wanted to paint a picture of the reality of working in Canterbury’s dairy industry. Her research explores – what is the composition of Canterbury’s dairy workforce, what are the pathways to the industry, why do people join and how can we build and lead thriving multicultural dairy teams?
Her research reflects a deep curiosity and passion for people and leadership. “I wanted to start with the facts by understanding what kind of trends we are seeing, then speak to those working in multicultural teams, or who have moved to New Zealand to work in Canterbury’s dairy industry” she says. “In particular, I wanted to explore how we build thriving teams and overcome challenges that might arise from that diversity of team?”
Through Kellogg and the 2025 Mackenzie Charitable Foundation Scholarship, Kate has gained access to influential industry leaders, policymakers and fellow participants who are helping shape the future of Canterbury’s primary sector.
Combining international experience with a passion for farming and sustainability, Kate represents a new generation of rural leaders, one focused on connecting people, data and practical solutions to help agriculture thrive.
