Your latest issue.
Welcome to this edition of the Rural Leader.
Sadly, as with our last, this edition begins with news of the passing of an alum. Garrick ‘Gary’ Murfitt (1977 Nuffield Scholar) passed on August 24, 2024.
Garrick was a hill-country farmer and had been involved with Horizons Regional Council since joining as statutory member in 1992. You can read more about this larger-than-life man who has been described as ‘a joy to work with’.
In our Ideas that Grow podcast, Lisa Rogers, CEO, Rural Leaders, talks to Bryan Gibson about the CoVE commissioned report ‘A Path to Realising Leadership Potential in Aotearoa NZ’s Food and Fibre Sector.’ The podcast covers the report’s leadership development framework, along with the Rural Leaders programmes serving as just some of those helping to build a pipeline of capable food and fibre leaders.
And, if you like your reports read to you, the three co-authors of ‘A Path to Realising Leadership Potential in Aotearoa NZ’s Food and Fibre Sector’, cover off each of its three parts in a REX Online podcast we’ll share on our social media channels next week.
This month we renewed our valued strategic partnership with DairyNZ. We share more on a positive partnership that dates to 2017.
The Rural Leaders’ team have had a busy couple of months delivering Kellogg Programme Two, Phase Two, and the week-long Gilman Scholarship food security programme ‘Mission New Zealand – Navigating Geopolitical Tensions and Climate Change as an Agri-based Economy’, to a cohort of 25 US alum. You can read more about the Gilman Program and listen to a podcast from one of the scholars in this edition.
Rural Leaders also delivered HortNZ Leadership Programme’s Phase One in September, with Phase Two set for 17 to 19 October.
Applications are open for Kellogg Programme One 2025, January 21 start. We share the key dates – one of which is the 20 October applications close date.
The Value Chain Innovation Programme is taking applications until 17 November. This deep dive into the dairy, apple and kiwifruit value chains is set to run 26 January – 1 February 2025. It offers a unique level of access to the leaders and entrepreneurs behind these value chains.
The third and final pilot for Engage – a Food and Fibre 101, runs 30 October to 1 November. This really is the perfect way to induct a team or team member into the sector. It’s not a bad refresher for veterans either.
ASB have worked closely with Rural Leaders to tailor an Engage solution for their rural manager team. You can too. Find out how here.
In Alumni in the Spotlight we check out what some Rural Leaders’ programme alumni have been up to.
We share news from our Partners, a Leadership Opportunity and Industry News.
We hope you enjoy this issue of the Rural Leader.
The Team at Rural Leaders.
Ideas That Grow Podcast: Lisa Rogers on leadership programmes and pathways.
If we believe the Food and Fibre sector has a leadership challenge versus a productivity challenge, then developing our sector’s leadership capability needs to be a priority.
In this podcast, Lisa Rogers, CEO, Rural Leaders talks to Bryan Gibson, Managing Editor, Farmers Weekly about the recently released report ‘A Path to Realising Leadership Potential in Aotearoa NZ’s Food and Fibre Sector’, along with its leadership development framework, and just some of the programmes serving as key tools for building more and ever greater leaders across the sector.
Click here to listen to Lisa’s podcast or read the transcript here.
US and NZ team up to deliver food security programme.
‘Mission New Zealand – Navigating Geopolitical Tensions and Climate Change as an Agri-based Economy’, was a week-long programme delivered by Rural Leaders in Christchurch.
Facilitated by Dr Scott Champion, it was designed to give a group of 25 visiting Gilman International Scholarship alumni a deep dive into global food security.
Participants gained insights into the policies, technologies, and adaptation measures that aim to secure the New Zealand agricultural sector and reduce environmental impacts.
Take a read of this short article that includes an insightful podcast from programme participant Darrin Vander Plas. Darrin works with the US Department of Agriculture. He explains what the goal of the trip was as well as some of its highlights.
Vander Plas, who manages the USDA Farm Loan Program in Maui County, Hawaii, highlights the resilience of Kiwi farmers despite the absence of government subsidies.
He also discusses his experiences in The Gambia and Uganda, where he supported local farmers through various agricultural initiatives and his experiences during last year’s wildfires in Hawaii.
DairyNZ and Rural Leaders renew Strategic Partnership agreement.
The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust (Rural Leaders) is pleased to announce the renewal of its Strategic Partnership agreement with DairyNZ.
This latest partnership renewal follows a long-standing relationship with DairyNZ that dates to 2017.
The new agreement means, together we can continue to help build stronger, more capable dairy industry leaders and in-turn contribute to meeting DairyNZ’s new strategic priorities: accelerating on-farm productivity, powering more adaptable and resilient farms, and enabling sustainable and competitive dairying.
You can read a short article here.
The Engage Programme, tailor-made for ASB's Rural Managers.
One of the challenges people entering the Food and Fibre sector can face is acquiring enough knowledge and skills to approach and speak to farmers collaboratively.
The Engage Programme was designed to address this knowledge gap. It was developed and delivered by Rural Leaders in conjunction with Lincoln University, and with funding from the Ministry for the Environment.
While Engage is heading into its third pilot for the original programme, it is also set to run the sixth of seven bespoke programmes tailored for ASB and their Rural Manager team.
To book your place on the third and final Engage pilot, or to discuss a tailored Engage Programme for your rural team, email Dr. Lyndsey Dance, Programmes Manager, Rural Leaders.
Applications are open for the Value Chain Innovation Programme.
Value Chain Innovation Programme, 26 January - 1 February 2025.
Starts Napier, 26 January. Ends Hamilton, 1 February.
This popular programme covers some of New Zealand’s most iconic value chains. 2025 will feature our apple, kiwifruit and dairy value chains. You’ll meet the leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators behind the businesses making waves both here and abroad.
This programme delivers a unique level of interaction with the people behind some of our biggest and most successful brands. You’ll hear about their successes, challenges faced and overcome.
Between extensive field trips, you’ll debate and discuss what you have seen, what it means to industry and to the wider sector. This analysis is expertly facilitated by Prof. Hamish Gow and Cllr Phil Morrison (and often takes place on the bus).
Don’t miss out on your opportunity to develop your entrepreneurial edge on the Value Chain Innovation Programme.
Applications close Sunday 17 November 2024.
Register your interest here or download the 2025 one-pager below.
Apply for Kellogg Programme One, 2025.
Kellogg Programme One, 2025. Key dates.
Lincoln: 21 January – 18 July.
Phase One (Lincoln):
Tuesday 21 Jan – Wednesday 29 Jan 2025.
Phase Two (Wellington):
Monday 7 April – Friday 11 April 2025.
Phase Three (Lincoln):
Monday 14 July – Friday 18 July 2025.
(Applications close Sunday 20 October 2024).
Register your interest here or download the 2025 brochure below.
Larger-than-life Nuffield Scholar passes.
The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust (Rural Leaders) and Nuffield New Zealand are saddened by the recent passing of Garrick Murfitt, 1977 Nuffield Scholar.
Garrick was a hill-country farmer first and foremost and was involved with Horizons Regional Council since joining as statutory member in 1992. He went on to be elected to represent the Tararua District and served as Chair from 2006 to 2010.
DairyNZ board voting opens 19 September.
Voting for two DairyNZ board positions opens today, Thursday 19 September, and closes at 12 noon on Thursday 17 October 2024.
Election results are announced at the DairyNZ Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 22 October in Christchurch.
Kylie Leonard, 2023 Nuffield Scholar, is standing for the 2024 DairyNZ Board of Directors.
Kylie is a Director of Vetora, a veterinary service provider, is on the board of Hillary Outdoors, and is a Trustee of Taupo-Nui-A-Tia College. As a Taupo District Councillor, Kylie has been a strong advocate for sustainable development and for rural communities.
“As a hands-on farmer with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the dairy industry, I am appropriately positioned to represent farmers on the DairyNZ Board…”
For further details call the election helpline on 0800 666 935, or contact the Returning Officer, Anthony Morton, electionz.com Ltd, PO Box 3138, Christchurch 8140 or email iro@electionz.com
Read Kylie’s candidate statement here.
Alumni in the Spotlight: Kate Scott, Isabelle Coates, Matt Iremonger.
CEO appointment, beef on dairy, and the importance of mentorship.
Rural Leaders’ programme alumni are making an impact in industries across the sector. These are just a few of the mentions in rural media from over the last month.
In the meantime, take a read of this Alumni in the Spotlight here.
News from our Partners.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand Awards 2024.
The finalists have been announced. The Awards are to be held at Claudelands in Hamilton on 10 October.
LIC – two new directors and AGM news.
LIC has appointed two new directors to its Board of Directors and one new Shareholder Reference Group Member. LIC Board Chair and Nuffield Scholar Corrigan Sowman discusses the appointments and more.
DairyNZ board elections.
Voting for two board positions opens today, 19 September and closes 17 October. Kylie Leonard, 2023 Nuffield Scholar is one of three candidates.
Industry news.
AGMARDT/KPMG – Common Ground.
Introducing The Common Ground. The place where Aotearoa New Zealand’s food & fibre sector comes together to solve our wicked problems.
The Common Ground begins as a report and call for a sector-wide conversation about our collective future.
AWDT – Escalator Programme.
Be part of a new generation of leaders revitalising the rural sector. Escalator is AWDT’s impact leadership accelerator programme – empowering purpose-driven women with the mindsets, skills and connections to create systemic change in our sector and rural communities.
Leadership opportunities.
Mayfield Governance Fundamentals.
Join Mayfield Group for an in-depth workshop on 6 December, designed to enhance your understanding of governance practices, board responsibilities, and the critical role of directors.
This workshop offers a comprehensive overview of strategy, risk, accountability and oversight. It will be held in Ashburton.
Our programmes work in partnership with some of New Zealand’s leading agribusiness organisations – click here for more.
