Hi there,

Welcome to this edition of the Rural Leader, the last for 2024.

We look forward to bringing you the next Rural Leader toward the end of January 2025.

For Rural Leaders 2024 has been one of the busiest years to date. The Team delivered fourteen programmes including: two Kellogg, two Engage pilots, six ASB Engage hybrids, one HortNZ Leadership Programme, one new cohort of Nuffield Scholars, a Gilman International Scholars Programme, and we’re gearing up for delivery of a Value Chain Innovation Programme in January.

The best part of a schedule as busy as 2024’s, was meeting so many people - about 220 programme participants for the year.

In our final Ideas that Grow podcast for 2024, we hear from Dave Nuku, 2024 Kellogg Scholar. Dave speaks to Bryan Gibson, Managing Editor at Farmers Weekly about long-term thinking and how Kaitiakitanga can work in alignment with profitable business. 

2024’s Kellogg Programme Two reports are now live. Twenty-four reports, representing hundreds of hours of research into topics of the scholar’s choosing.

A full Value Chain Innovation Programme heads to Napier in late January to explore the dairy, kiwifruit and apple value chains. It runs over an intensive five-days, ending in Hamilton. The dates for the next Value Chain Programme will be finalised in the New Year.

Alumni in the Spotlight covers media mentions on Anna Nelson, Reuben Carter, Kate Kellick and Rosie Dowling, Sarah How, Kellogg Scholars, and Tracy Brown, Nuffield Scholar.

And to wrap up, we share News from our Partners, some Industry News and Leadership Opportunities.

We hope you have time to relax a little over the break. In the meantime, here’s this edition of The Rural Leader.

Merry Christmas from The Team at Rural Leaders.

IDEAS THAT GROW PODCAST

Dave Nuku on Kaitiakitanga, adopting a long term view, and Kellogg

In this Ideas that Grow podcast, Dave Nuku, 2024 Kellogg Scholar, talks to Bryan Gibson, Managing Editor at Farmers Weekly about his work with Ngamanawa Incorporation, his Kellogg experience, and adopting a philosophy of Kaitiakitanga in business.

Listen on your favourite podcast player:

Read full transcript: https://ruralleaders.co.nz/dave-nuku-on-kaitiakitanga-and-adopting-a-long-term-view/

Kellogg Programme Two 2024 present final research reports

Rural Leaders are pleased to share the research reports from graduates of 2024’s Kellogg Programme Two.

Our Kellogg Scholars’ commitment and their insights play a key role in helping shape the Food and Fibre Sector. These Scholars come from diverse industries and parts of our value chains. All are deeply grounded in the Sector.

A large part of the impact model at Rural Leaders is based on individual research reports. These reports are a deep dive into a topic of their choosing. 

They all now leave Kellogg equipped to think and act strategically and will have made a valuable research contribution to the sector.

We are pleased to present the Research Reports of the 52nd Kellogg Cohort at the link below: 

Just some of the topics covered by this Kellogg cohort are:

• How can we add value to non-replacement calves in the dairy industry?
• Opportunities and challenges for arable farming in Canterbury in the future.
• Value and opportunities of farm planning in the New Zealand sheep and beef sector.
• Levers for driving sustainable innovation within the NZ food and fibre sector.
• Marketing the nutritional benefits of eating beef and lamb.
• Kaitiakitanga, an indigenous philosophy for a modern world.
• Answers under foot: Should soil health be our #1 sustainability goal?
• Future proofing our workforce: Where will we find the skills for tomorrow.
• Low stress cattle handling: people, products and the wider New Zealand beef industry.

Apply for Kellogg Programme Two 2025 by 13 April

If you would like to register your interest or apply for Kellogg Programme Two 2025 and join over 1100 Kellogg Alumni making positive change across food and fibre, head to the link below and register your interest in this fast-filling programme.

Key Kellogg dates are:

Kellogg Programme Two, Lincoln: 24 June - 28 November 2025

Phase One (Lincoln):
Tuesday 24 June – Wednesday 2 July 2025.

Phase Two (Wellington):
Monday 8 September – Friday 12 September 2025.

Phase Three (Lincoln):
Monday 24 November – Friday 28 November 2025.
(Applications close Sunday 13 April).

Nuffield Triennial 2026 – Ireland

While we did share news about the 2026 Nuffield Triennial in the last Rural Leader, this another opportunity to invite Nuffield alumni to register their interest in this all-Ireland Triennial tour. 

The tour spans from the North to the South, offering a rich blend of agricultural and cultural experiences.  
 
Over the course of nine days, participants embark on a journey across the island, with visits to more than 50 farms, industry organisations, and cultural venues.  
  
To stay informed about all the latest updates for Triennial 2026, register your interest today by clicking the link below.  
 
Triennial runs MAY 18TH – 26TH, 2026. 

Alumni in the Spotlight

Six graduates of Rural Leaders programmes are covered in this Alumni in the Spotlight:

You can read the short article on all six Alumni here.

News from our partners

FMG wins mutual of the year

FMG is the 2024 Cooperative New Zealand Co-op/Mutual of the Year. In awarding the prize judges commended FMG's B Corp certification and the fact they are the first general insurer in New Zealand Aotearoa to achieve this accolade.

“This award represents wonderful recognition for the collective work across our entire One Team at FMG in what has been another big year for the Mutual,” says FMG’s Chief Executive Adam Heath.

You can read more from FMG here: https://www.fmg.co.nz/about-fmg/news/fmg-wins-mutual-of-the-year!

DairyNZ’s financial forecast - breakeven price $8.32 per kgMS

The average national forecast payout now sits at $10.08 per kgMS, $1.76 profit for farmers and well above the profit margin of recent seasons.

“I suspect that Christmas came a bit early in some dairy farming households following multiple positive announcements in recent months,” says DairyNZ Head of Economics Mark Storey.

Take a read of this DairyNZ article: https://www.dairynz.co.nz/news/tis-the-season-for-a-jolly-good-forecast-dairynz-econ-tracker/.

Industry news

Open Farms

New Zealand’s national Open Farm Day is set for Sunday 9 March 2025.

Open Farms is a chance to share the farming story – connecting urban Kiwis with the people and places that grow their food.  

Interested in hosting? Open Farms will back you with the planning support, kit and marketing to make it happen. 

After 14,000 visits, 130 events and great feedback across the board, now is the time to share your pride and passion for farming with others.

Learn more and register at www.openfarms.co.nz.

Leadership opportunities

Mayfield

Registrations are now open for the next intake of The Mayfield Governance Programme starting in May 2025. 

If you would like to have a conversation about the programme, please contact Jo Woolley at jo@mayfieldgroup.co.nz 

Note - Funding may be available for up to 50% off the programme. 

Programme highlights include

• Strategy, strategic planning and strategic implementation
• Risk controls tolerance and delegation
• Finance for directors including ratios and capital allocation
• Effective board processes and practices, i.e. agendas, minutes and annual work plans
• Negotiating and influencing around the board table
• Future themes: Climate change, ESG, people retention, AI and technologies, etc. 
• Board simulation and experienced governors panel

Key dates 

• Programme starts: 1st May 2025
• First workshop: 20-22 May 2025 (in Auckland)
• Second Workshop: November 2025 (in Auckland)

Download the programme brochure here: Mayfield Brochure.

Strategic partners:  
Dairy NZ  |  AGMARDT  |  FMG  |  Mackenzie Charitable Foundation

Programme partners:  
Ministry for Primary Industries  |  Farmlands  |  FAR  |  Horticulture New Zealand |  Zespri | LIC | Rabobank  |  Beef+Lamb New Zealand

Academic partners:  
Lincoln University  |  Massey University

Media and service partners:  
AgriHQ |  CountryWide Media  |  PwC  |  Federated Farmers  |  Tavendale and Partners

Regional partners: 
Whanganui & Partners  |  Whangarei A&P Society

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