Nuffield Scholars
2020-2026
Apply for the 2027 Nuffield Scholarships by 23 Aug 2026.
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2026 Scholars
Clare Bradley
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 and respect for the marine environment, she 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.
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. 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 and strengthen value chains.
Tracey Perkins
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 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.
Her achievements include forming and guiding numerous Canterbury catchment and community groups, leading successful teams, and serving as Campaign Manager for Selwyn Mayor Lydia Gliddon. She is passionate about empowering people to build resilient, solutions-focused communities and champions collaboration and sustainability.
Tracey intends to explore “The Third Model,” integrating Indigenous stewardship principles with the operational and economic realities of intensive agriculture.
Kelly Heckler
As chairperson of Otago Water Resource Users Group, she 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.
Her leadership philosophy centres on authenticity and collaboration, and 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.
Kelly is exploring research in Freshwater Management with specific focus on water allocation in overallocated catchments.
Jared Clarke
Jared Clarke is a Canterbury dairy farmer with a strong record of performance, innovation and team development, and 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. 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 on performance, people and innovation. His governance work includes director of Barrhill Chertsey Ltd, a member of the Canterbury Farm Business Group, and former member of LIC’s Shareholder Reference Group.
Interested in a reduced reliance on imported energy, Jared’s Nuffield research is likely to be on the generation and storage of energy.
2025 Scholars
Alan McDermott
Alan is founder of Pearl Pastures, which works with dairy farmers and finishers to produce rose veal from surplus dairy calves.
Pearl Veal is marketed to premier restaurants in New Zealand and internationally. The business brings together many strands that are core to Alan – sustainability, human and animal wellbeing, and creating delicious food.
Alan is also a partner in AgriFood Strategy, a consultancy working with businesses and the wider sector on significant strategic issues such as sustainability, value chain performance, and establishing premium end-to-end value chains.
Alan led the collaboration that brought together farm assurance for the red meat sector and the development of the sector’s sustainability assurance programme. He recently worked with Headwaters on Lumina lamb, was a director of Red Meat Profit Partnership and has been involved in, and chaired, advisory boards for several other entities.
Alan grew up on a sheep and beef farm in the hills of Hawke’s Bay and studied at Massey University and now thrives in Golden Bay.
2024 Scholars
2023 Scholars
2022 Scholars
Parmindar Singh
Parmindar is a fourth generation New Zealand dairy farmer of Indian descent. A company director and independent consultant, she is near completion of her master’s degree at Waikato University.
Anthony Taueki
A horticulturalist from the Hawke’s Bay, Anthony is of Ngati Kahungunu descent. He leads, organises, and conducts horticulture courses and training programmes with Fruition Horticulture, New Zealand Apples and Pears, Tatau Tatau o te Wairoa, Ministry of Social Development and Ngati Kahungunu Inc.
Lucie Douma
Lucie is of Dutch descent and is based in Wellington. She is currently Head of Client Strategy and Advice Services. Previously Lucie led a team at the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) looking at disruptions to the domestic food and fibre supply chains, and primary sector COVID recovery.
2021 Scholars
Lynsey Stratford
Lynsey provides people management and development consultancy services and training with a focus on the primary sector.
Ben Anderson
Ben Anderson is the owner and manager of a dry stock farm in the Central Hawkes Bay, with a focus on deer velvet.
Daniel Eb
Daniel comes from a family beef finishing block in Northland and is the Director of Dirt Road Comms in Auckland.
David Eade
David and Harriet own a block in Whanganui where they are focused on building ecological equity and high-quality produce through regenerative practices.
John Foley
John is a Senior Seed Production Agronomist for PGG Wrightson Seeds. John works in seed research and precision agriculture.
2020 Scholars
Tracy Brown
Tracy lives near Matamata on a 700 cow, 310ha farm ‘Tiroroa’ with husband Wynn and four children.
Shannon Harnett
With experience in dairy, sheep & beef and horticulture, Shannon held senior management and accounting roles before becoming director at Rural Accountants.
Ben McLauchlan
Living in Rapaura, Marlborough, Ben owns and runs a 102H vineyard growing Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay grapes.
Phil Weir
Living on the slopes of Mt Pirongia, 30 minutes from Hamilton, Phil is active in farming his co-owned 240ha drystock property with his wife Megan.
Edward Pinckney
Edward farms Jericho Station near Te Anau. He has also been involved in his family’s business since 2006, previously managing Morley Creek near Ohai.
Our programmes work in partnership with some of New Zealand’s leading agribusiness organisations – click here for more.
