Nuffield Scholars
2020-2027
Apply for the 2027 Nuffield Scholarships by 23 Aug 2026.
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2027 - Current Scholars
Nicole Morris
- Canterbury
- Agronomy
Nicole is New Zealand Marketing Manager for Corteva Agriscience. With a background in pasture agronomy, agricultural research and product development, she works across pastoral, arable and horticultural systems.
Nicole holds a Master of Agricultural Science from Lincoln University and completed the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme in 2021. She received the Animal & Plant Health New Zealand Emerging Leader Award in 2024 and serves as Secretary and Council Committee Member of the Agronomy Society of New Zealand.
Passionate about evidence-based solutions, Nicole champions collaboration, innovation and stronger industry capability for New Zealand farmers.
Mark Guscott
- Wairarapa
- Sheep, Beef, Arable, Agribusiness
Mark is a Wairarapa farmer, agribusiness leader and director of Glen Eden Farms, a diversified food production business spanning sheep, beef, grain, seed and tourism.
Since 2004, Mark has grown the business into a more resilient and profitable enterprise through diversification and investment in people. He is a director of Atkins Ranch, which exports lamb to North American supermarket customers, and chairs Heavy Lambs Ltd and the Rua Māhanga Floodplain Management Committee.
A Lincoln University agricultural commerce graduate, Mark recently completed Rural Leaders’ Value Chain Innovation Programme. He is passionate about farm profitability, market development and creating a stronger future for New Zealand agriculture.
Patricia Rankin
- Taranaki
- Dairy
Patricia is a Taranaki dairy farmer, governance leader and rural sector innovator passionate about building resilient farming businesses and stronger rural communities.
She is Chair of the Dairy Women’s Network Trust Board, supporting more than 14,000 women in farming, and a farmer-elected director and Risk Committee Chair at Taranaki Vet Centre.
Patricia is also CEO of GAPA (Farming) Ltd and leads NZ Rural, a consultancy focused on governance, facilitation and rural leadership. A 2019 Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme scholar and Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year, she brings together practical farming experience, strategic thinking and community leadership to help the sector navigate change and embrace future opportunities.
Hamish Guild
- Canterbury
- Sheep, Beef and Deer
Hamish is Farm Manager of High Peak Station in Canterbury, where he combines strategic farm management with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
A passionate advocate for New Zealand’s high country, Hamish champions the balance between profitable farming, responsible land stewardship and long-term resilience. His environmental leadership has been recognised with the Supreme Award at the Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards, the Gordon Stephenson Trophy and appointment as National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing.
Hamish is also an experienced industry speaker, sharing practical insights on sustainable farming, biodiversity, environmental management and the future of New Zealand agriculture.
2026 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.
