Nuffield Scholars
2020-2026
Apply for the 2027 Nuffield Scholarships by 23 Aug 2026.
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2026 - Current Scholars
Clare Bradley
- Bay of Plenty
- Agritech, Rural Business
Clare 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
- Canterbury
- Land Management
Tracey 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
- Otago
- Sheep & Beef
Kelly and her family farm Lauder Creek, a high-country sheep and beef property in the Manuherekia catchment of Central Otago. Kelly is a values-driven leader and advocate for sustainable food and fibre production, recognised for her commitment to intergenerational resilience.
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
- Canterbury
- Dairy
Jared 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
Dani Darke
- King Country
- Red meat
Jon Pemberton
- Southland
- Dairy
Lisa Portas
- Wairarapa
- Red meat, Wool
Alan McDermott
- Golden Bay
- Red meat, Agrifood
2024 Scholars
Carlos Bagrie
- Otago
- Arable, Sheep & Beef, Poultry
Rachel Baker
- Hawke's Bay
- Dairy, Horticulture
Jenna Smith
- Waikato
- Dairy, Red Meat
Peter Templeton
- Southland
- Dairy
2023 Scholars
Kylie Leonard
- Taupō
- Dairy
James Allen
- Hamilton
- Agribusiness
Kerry Worsnop
- Gisborne
- Sheep & Beef, Policy
Matt Iremonger
- Canterbury
- Dairy, Red meat
2022 Scholars
Parmindar Singh
- Waikato
- Dairy
Anthony Taueki
- Hawke's Bay
- Horticulture, Agribusiness
Lucie Douma
- Wellington
- Agribusiness, Dairy, Meat & Fibre
2021 Scholars
Lynsey Stratford
- Southland
- Dairy, Consultancy
Daniel Eb
- Auckland
- Agribusiness
Ben Anderson
- Hawke's Bay
- Meat and Fibre, Deer
David Eade
- Manawatū-Whanganui
- Meat and Fibre, Apiary
John Foley
- Canterbury
- Agribusiness, Arable
2020 Scholars
Ben McLauchlan
- Marlborough
- Viticulture
Tracy Brown
- Waikato
- Dairy
Shannon Harnett
- Bay of Plenty
- Agribusiness, Accountancy
Phil Weir
- Waikato
- Meat and Fibre, Agribusiness
Edward Pinckney
- Southland
- Red meat, Dairy
Our programmes work in partnership with some of New Zealand’s leading agribusiness organisations – click here for more.
