Rural Leaders Reports
Tim Orlando-Reep
Farmers show strong interest in biodiversity credits, but high administrative costs and unclear financial incentives remain challenges. This report by Tim Orlando-Reep recommends simplifying measurement and updating carbon sequestration tables.
- December 2025
- Kellogg 54
Dr Pranoy Pal
Regenerative agriculture is a holistic farming approach aiming to regenerate soil health and biodiversity. Pranoy Pal’s Kellogg report asserts that a lack of scientific data, limited support, high initial costs and no commercial incentives remain major hindrances to adoption in the kiwifruit industry.
- December 2025
- Kellogg 54
Anna Vaughan
This report by Anna Vaughan evaluates if genotyping NZ ewes delivers enough genetic, market, and sustainability benefits to justify cost and adoption challenges.
- December 2025
- Kellogg 54
Olivia Smith
NZ’s food exports depend on strong global partnerships and market trust. This report by Olivia Smith explores how innovation, integrity, and strategic investment, not volume alone, enable lasting competitiveness, helping the sector stay resilient and relevant in volatile global markets.
- December 2025
- Kellogg 54
Nick Vernon
This report by Nick Vernon, examines how biodiversity actions, community expectations, and stakeholder involvement intersect to build trust, improve environmental results, and support long-term sustainability.
- December 2025
- Kellogg 54
Natasha Cave
This report by Natasha Cave examines virtual fencing for beef cattle, its potential to lift pasture management and environmental protection, while emphasising that success requires farmer training, industry support and research.
- December 2025
- Kellogg 54
Matthew Scarf
This report by Matt Scarf investigates how ending NZ’s GE-Free status could affect the organic sector, threatening premiums, trust, and growth, while recommendations include clear government pathways, integration into environmental programmes, and promotion of integrity and innovation.
- December 2025
- Kellogg 54
Campbell Smith
This report by Campbell Smith looks at the adoption of livestock weighing tech lags due to trust, usability, integration, support, cost thresholds, and peer influence despite clear benefits.
- December 2025
- Kellogg 54
Zac Howell
NZ wine confronts rising costs and unpredictable markets. This report by Zac Howell reveals how smarter data use, strong governance, and industry trust can unlock interoperability, boost traceability, secure market access, and drive efficiency for sustained growth and global success.
- December 2025
- Kellogg 54
Bryan Gibson
As trust in news erodes, NZ’s food and fibre sector still values reliable journalism. This report by Bryan Gibson explores how tailored, ethical, and accessible news can regain credibility, helping farmers make better decisions while sustaining a resilient media landscape.
- December 2025
- Kellogg 54
Tara Dwyer
Tara Dwyer reports the New Zealand sheep sector stands at a critical juncture, requiring courage, collaboration, and leadership, with recommendations for genuine product differentiation and investment to reverse declining flock numbers and diminishing profitability.
- December 2025
- Kellogg 54
Tim Waehling
This report by Tim Waehling shows how East Coast maize grain growers can boost resilience and profitability by building collaborative networks to overcome costs and market pressures.
- December 2025
- Kellogg 54
David March
Wearable technologies offer real benefits in monitoring, labour efficiency, and safety on NZ dairy farms. David March’s report discovers that for high-performing operations, financial returns remain limited, highlighting the need to weigh costs, farm performance, and alternative investments before adoption.
- December 2025
- Kellogg 54
Geoff Crawford
This report by Geoff Crawford asserts that co-products in the “Fifth Quarter” are undervalued, limiting farmers’ returns and that improved transparency, collaboration, and fair value distribution are needed.
- December 2025
- Kellogg 54
Nicky Halley
Are microplastics entering NZ’s dairy supply? This report by Nicky Halley explores potential risks, public concern, and practical steps for farmers, industry, and policymakers to safeguard health, trust, and the nation’s clean, green reputation.
- December 2025
- Kellogg 54
Adam Williamson
This report seeks to gain understanding of farmer water quality perspectives in the Amuri Basin and what factors in their farming systems they were prepared to adopt to achieve better water quality outcomes, along with identifying what the barriers to implementation are.
- July 2025
- Kellogg 53
Cameron Walker
Cameron’s report examines whether monetised benefits from increased carbon sequestration or positive biodiversity outcomes could offset the costs of pest management and protection of native vegetation in NZ. The findings inform policy development for achieving national climate and biodiversity commitments.
- July 2025
- Kellogg 53
Emma Weston
Veterinarians are vital to MPI’s export, biosecurity, and food safety systems. This research identifies key retention challenges and offers strategies to build a resilient, engaged veterinary workforce.
- 2024
- Kellogg 53
Grant Kay
This report explores how NZ dairy farmers approach on-farm data sharing amid regulatory pressures. Farmers are rational—sharing data when trust, control, and value are assured. The “make/save/comply” framework captures their motivations, stressing the need for ethical, transparent, and mutually beneficial data ecosystems.
- 2025
- Kellogg 53
Jack Dwyer
Leadership in NZ agriculture now values people management. This report conducted a study of farm leaders and found trust, empathy, and reflection are key traits, developed through experience and mentorship. This excellent report offers practical leadership insights for first-time managers.
- 2025
- Kellogg 53
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
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