2026 Nuffield NZ Farming Scholarship. Apply by 17 August 2025. Read More...

Apply for 2026 Nuffield NZ Farming Scholarship by 17 August 2025. More details...

Rural Leaders Reports

Dave Nuku

This report aims to show how Māori land trusts in Te Moana a Toi apply Kaitiakitanga principles to achieve sustainable governance and long-term intergenerational well-being.

Ben Aiken

This research project seeks to understand how young dairy farmers in
Northland have got ahead and to learn from their examples and experiences.

Chloe Walker

Access to capital is constraining the sector's sustainability, productivity, and transition to the next generation of farmers.
Hamish Hodgson

Hamish Hodgson

This research paper aims to identify the key skills that drive profitability in NZ's dairy farming sector and explore how targeted training and development can enhance farm performance and overall economic resilience.
Hamish Symons

Hamish Symons

With a changing New Zealand climate causing more frequent and more severe dry spells, including in regions previously seen as less vulnerable, the reliability of supplying food to meet our goals and expectations is in question.

Harry Wilding

This report aims to analyse how high performing farm businesses reach and sustain the levels of performance, resilience and wellbeing they do.
Iain Inglis

Iain Inglis

Exploring, educating, and applying low-stress livestock handling to benefit the people, product and perception of New Zealand’s beef industry.
Jane Rau

Jane Rau

This research examines why lean red meat is good for your immune system, brain health, and weight management, as well as some challenges and opportunities in promoting this to the customer.

Juan Giacomozzi

This report explores the evolving landscape of gene technology in NZ, focusing on the implications of genetic modification (GM) and the New Breeding Techniques (NBTs) for the agricultural sector.

Kate Kellick

This report explores New Zealand's shift to shedding sheep, highlighting economic, environmental, and welfare benefits. It emphasises reduced costs, improved productivity, and sustainable practices, with solutions for drench resistance. The report advocates for innovation, collaboration, and ongoing research to ensure long-term farm resilience and market viability of New Zealand's sheep farming sector.
Lisa Gibbison

Lisa Gibbison

This report investigates the trusted sources of advice for NZ kiwifruit growers during biosecurity and adverse weather events, with a focus on understanding the drivers of trust within the industry.

Nick Martin

This paper investigates whether the use of Sports Psychology tools could be that one percent advantage, what the most applicable tools are and how they might be implemented.

Oliver Hampson

The management of non-replacement calves, or bobby calves, is a constant challenge for the NZ Dairy industry. This report investigates potential options for reducing bobby calf numbers.

Rachel Joblin

This report seeks to demonstrate how non-regulatory farm planning benefits sheep and beef farmers via a framework for managing resources and identifying opportunities.

Richard Pentreath

This research examines NZ horticulture's views on soil health and explores opportunities to elevate it as a key measure of sustainability.

Thomas Holmes

This report aims to provide insight from a grower’s perspective on the opportunities and challenges of arable farming in Canterbury for the future.

Whitney Conder

This report seeks to ensure that Central Otago’s horticulture industry remains robust, sustainable, and attractive to both current and future professionals.

Ashlea Kowalski

This report looks at the current business model for contract milking within the New Zealand dairy industry. With research showing that 27% of contract milkers would be financially better off as a manager, contract milking it is not the most effective pathway for progression.

Sophia Hunt

This report analyses Algeria's dairy market and its significance as a major importer of New Zealand's dairy products, particularly Whole Milk Powder. It aims to assess our potential to enhance dairy exports to Algeria, and identify opportunities for value-add.

Rob Shaw

This report produces a concept plan for a corporate dairy farming company in Zimbabwe. It investigates the domestic and regional markets, general business environment and success factors in developing a corporate pasture-based dairy company.

Lisa Lunn

This report examines the integration of genetic technologies into New Zealand agriculture, focusing on their benefits and risks, the regulatory changes needed, and the support required for adoption by the public and farmers.

Peter Saunders

This report examines risk management practices on Canterbury dairy farms and explores whether there is a need for the development of an Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework specific to the dairy sector.

Richard Pedley

This report examines how New Zealand's agricultural sector can integrate business strategy, regenerative design, and sustainability legislation to create regenerative farm blueprints that enhance Freshwater Farm Plans.

Sophie MacAskill

This report aims to identify possible actions and strategies to support New Zealand dairy farmers as modern genetic technology becomes permissible on farms.