Rural Leaders Reports
Jess Ross
This report explores integrating biopesticides and IPM in NZ horticulture. Barriers include limited knowledge, resistance to change, and outdated regulations. Recommendations highlight education, expert collaboration, and technology use to support adoption and meet export demands sustainably.
- 2025
- Kellogg 53
Jodie Goudswaard
NZ dairy farmers prove profit and sustainability can align—pasture smart, cost-savvy, and values-led. A balance worth backing.
- 2025
- Kellogg 53
Kaitlin Bates
This report highlights the underutilised role of nutrition in New Zealand’s dairy sector.
It identifies gaps in training, technology use, and knowledge integration. Key recommendations include standardised education, data-informed practices, cross-sector collaboration, and a systems-thinking approach, sustainability, and long-term farm success.
- 2025
- Kellogg 53
Katrina Roberts
This report by Katrina Roberts highlights that strong farmer-female veterinarian relationships improve advice uptake and farm outcomes. Findings emphasise personal connection, trust, communication, and shared growth. Veterinary businesses should support advisors through training, flexibility, and resources to foster thriving partnerships, especially in female-led advisory roles.
- 2025
- Kellogg 53
Kurt Harmer
This report explores the feasibility of NZ dairy farmers selling raw and pasteurised milk direct from the farm. It finds strong consumer interest and financial potential, but highlights significant regulatory, operational, and mindset challenges requiring targeted support and strategic planning.
- 2025
- Kellogg 53
Malinda Wynyard
Malinda’s report examines how NZ’s independent dairy manufacturers can future-proof for financial sustainability amid a decreasing milk pool and global market shifts. It finds that success depends on strong value-chain relationships, targeting values-driven markets, and exploring alternative access strategies to overcome distance and risk.
- 2025
- Kellogg 53
Michele Cranefield
This report explores NZ’s changing farm ownership landscape, noting declining traditional pathways, rising land costs, and limited capital access. Models like equity partnerships show promise. Strategic planning, mentorship, and coordinated action are needed to address a $110–$125 billion capital gap.
- 2025
- Kellogg 53
Michele Findlay
This report by Michele Findlay examines how rural managers build trusted, high-value relationships with clients in food and fibre. It identifies attributes, leadership practices, and organisational support for high performance, highlighting trust-building, technical and interpersonal skills, and proactive insight.
- 2025
- Kellogg 53
Phil Holland
Phil’s report examines the expanding deer population across Aotearoa New Zealand, its ecological and economic impacts, the limitations of current management, and the ethical tensions surrounding lethal control, cultural values, and decision-making in deer management strategies.
- 2025
- Kellogg 53
Daniel Judd
Soil lays the foundation of all farming productivity. Farmers’ soil management is influenced by multiple factors, especially scientific perceptions. Studies on soil function and productivity are limited or non-existent. This paper highlights farmers’ views, challenges, and the drivers behind their perceptions and management practices.
- 2025
- Kellogg 53
Matt Ward
This report by Matt Ward looks at boosting ewe flock productivity amid national decline by using terminal sires, better genetics, and more innovative flock strategies to sustain lamb output. The report states that passive adaptation is no longer enough—active change is essential.
- 2025
- Kellogg 53
Morgan Jones
This report by Morgan Jones tackles the financial literacy gap in rural NZ by exploring tailored, accessible education strategies for farmers, growers, and professionals.
- 2025
- Kellogg 53
Richard Cameron
This report by Richard Cameron identifies key challenges in attracting and retaining skilled farm managers, including low wages, poor work-life balance, and limited ownership pathways. It explores equity partnership models, presents a successful case study, and offers recommendations for sustainable industry solutions.
- 2025
- Kellogg 53
Rachel Baker
Gene editing can boost NZ’s primary sector by improving sustainability, productivity, and resilience. Success requires balanced regulation, sector leadership, public trust, and coordinated innovation.
- February 2025
- Nuffield 2024
Jenna Smith
Peatlands store 20% of NZ’s soil carbon but are largely degraded. This report explores restoration, wetland farming, and Māori-led solutions for climate and cultural resilience.
- February 2025
- Nuffield 2024
Peter Templeton
Rising land prices and aging farmers threaten NZ farm succession. This report explores barriers and alternative ownership models to support the next generation of farmers.
- February 2025
- Nuffield 2024
Carlos Bagrie
New Zealand’s economy can’t rely indefinitely on agriculture and tourism. This report calls for a national conversation on future export strategies to ensure resilience.
- February 2025
- Nuffield 2024
Laura Deeming
This report covers animal welfare in New Zealand’s dairy industry, focusing on cattle, goats, and sheep. Key issues include lameness, painful procedures, and surplus offspring.
- 2024
- Kellogg 52
Cheyenne Wilson
The food and fibre sector, a cornerstone of Aotearoa’s economy, thrives when rangatahi Māori lead. This report outlines barriers, strategies, and a vision for inclusivity.
- 2024
- Kellogg 52
Sam Connor
This report examines how partnerships in New Zealand's food and fibre sector create value for farmers and growers by focusing on purpose, trust, and communication to deliver social, productivity, and profitability benefits.
- 2024
- Kellogg 52
Kendal Buchanan
This report investigates the impact of climate change on Waikato's agriculture, highlighting risks like increased heat stress and drought for livestock farming, while identifying opportunities for diversifying land use.
- 2024
- Kellogg 52
Jordi Hoult
This report explores how leadership development can be enhanced for mid-career professionals in New Zealand's agrifood sector, addressing gaps and promoting inclusivity and innovation.
- 2024
- Kellogg 52
James Prunty
This report explores sustainable alternatives to peat for mushroom farming in New Zealand, focusing on wood fiber blends to reduce reliance while maintaining yield and quality.
- 2024
- Kellogg 52
Anita Fleming
This report aims to identify key inflexion points for New Zealand agriculture to adopt sustainable practices, enhance market opportunities, and drive systemic transformation through collaborative value chains.
- 2024
- Kellogg 52