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Hi there,
Welcome to this edition of The Rural Leader.
Our thoughts are with those affected by the adverse weather once again hitting many parts of New Zealand. Banks Peninsula in particular, has seen serious flooding over the last 48 hours.
In this month’s Ideas That Grow Podcast, Tim Orlando-Reep, recent Kellogg graduate, is interviewed by Farmers Weekly Managing Editor (and recent Kellogg graduate) Bryan Gibson. Tim talks about his Kellogg experience, carbon credits and the catchment group he is involved with.
The search for the new Rural Leaders CEO continues. In the meantime it’s business as usual, with two programmes delivered so far in 2026. The first, Kellogg Programme One (Phase One), which ran 27 January to 4 February. The Scholars are back for Phase Two in Wellington, 13 April.
The second, the Value Chain Innovation Programme. This ran 8 to 14 February. The apple, kiwifruit, dairy, red meat and technology value chains explored have given the 16-strong cohort a deep understanding of how these value chains truly work. We share a little more on the programme in this edition.
Alumni in the Spotlight features news from Caroline Batley, Michael Tayler, Kate Scott, Lisa Portas and more.
You can also catch up on News from our Partners, Industry, and a leadership opportunity.
We hope you enjoy this issue of The Rural Leader.
The Team at Rural Leaders.
Podcast. Tim Orlando-Reep on catchment groups, carbon credits and Kellogg.
2025 Kellogg Scholar Tim Orlando-Reep shares how his Waikato beef farm integrates carbon forestry, biodiversity ambitions and catchment collaboration.
While pine credits stack up financially, his research through the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme explores how native plantings can balance profitability with environmental impacts.
Listen on your favourite podcast player:
Apply for Kellogg Programme Two 2026.
Olivia Smith graduated from Kellogg Programme Two in late November 2025. Olivia is Commercial Manager – Operations, at Spring Sheep Milk Co.
Her research was on ‘positioning New Zealand’s global food trade in a shifting global order.’
Olivia asserts that as one of the world’s most trade-dependent food producers, New Zealand sends more than 80% of its food offshore, tying its fortunes closely to markets like China, the United States of America, and the European Union.
Trade deals have broadened access, but they can’t fully shield exporters from geopolitical shocks or shifting regulation. Olivia’s research shows long-term success isn’t about volume, it’s about coordination, innovation, integrity, and strong customer partnerships. Our edge lies in being a trusted, transparent, and strategically aligned partner.
Olivia worked hard throughout the programme, completing Kellogg research that will make a meaningful contribution to the sector.
If you want to grow as a leader of purpose and impact, apply for Programme Two 2026 by April 19.
The Value Chain Programme 2026.
Ever since the Value Chain programme’s genesis in the locked-down days, weeks and months of Covid, Nuffield Scholars have joined as participants.
The 2026 Scholars: Clare Bradley, Jared Clarke, Kelly Heckler and Tracey Perkins, joined a dozen industry leaders to explore the dairy, apple and kiwifruit value chains, with red meat and technology also featuring.
There has never been a better time to gain a pan-sector view of successful business models. The programme explores the value chains with business models closely aligned to their customers, use protected IP, or those that provide innovative shared value structures.
On her programme experience, Clare Bradley, Nuffield Scholar and AgriSea NZ Chief Executive Officer, said, “The Value Chain Programme was an incredibly valuable week for me. It gave me the opportunity to dive deeply into New Zealand’s leading value chains in a way that genuinely challenged what I thought I knew, and opened up a world of possibility across other sectors I work with.
The tour was brilliantly curated, and the frameworks we used to discuss and unpack what we were seeing helped bring real clarity to the implications, both for today and for the future.
I would highly recommend this programme. The businesses you visit and the people you engage with are exceptional, I came away with a full notebook of notes, ideas, inspiration and new connections.”
If you’re interested in joining the 2027 programme, you can register your interest or apply early here.
Alumni in the Spotlight
In Alumni in the Spotlight we hear news about Nathan Guy (1999 Kellogg Scholar). Lisa Portas (2025 Nuffield Scholar) recently secured the Associate Trustee role at AGMARDT and news from Kate Scott, Caroline Batley, Michael Tayler and more.
Caroline Batley (Kellogg 2022)
Caroline recently completed two years as a Waikato Farmers Trust Trustee and in 2025 was appointed Chairperson of the St Peter's Owl Farm Governance Committee. More...
Nathan Guy (Kellogg 1999)
Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay announced the appointment of Nathan as New Zealand's Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE) late last year. More...
Lisa Portas (Kellogg 2019, Nuffield 2025)
AGMARDT announces Lisa as new Associate Trustee. See our Partner News below for a link to the full article on AGMARDT's website.
Dani Darke (Nuffield 2025)
King Country sheep and beef farmers Dani and her husband Anthony recently spoke at the B+LNZ Tasman Farming for Profit Field Day. More...
Kylie Leonard (Nuffield 2023)
Kylie was recently featured in Farmers Weekly discussing her Nuffield research on the effects of ESG on farm finance. More...
Kate Scott (Nuffield 2018)
Kate, Rural Leaders' Chair and HortNZ CEO, reflected in Hort News on sector achievements, particularly apple exports surpassing $1 billion. More...
Michael Taylor (Nuffield 2012)
Michael, chair of United Wheatgrowers, spoke to Farmers Weekly and TVNZ in January about severe hail events that damaged almost 5,000ha of Canterbury wheat crops over summer. More...
If you have news about a new business venture, trip, award, or appointment you’d like to share with our audience, please get in touch with Matt Hampton, Marketing and Communications Manager at matthampton@ruralleaders.co.nz.
News from our partners
Nuffield Scholar joins AGMARDT Board.
2025 Nuffield Scholar Lisa Portas has been appointed AGMARDT's new Associate Trustee. With extensive experience in wool, honey, and agritourism, Lisa will bring international insights from her Nuffield research on agricultural value chains to support the primary sector.
Dairy farmers to vote on milksolids levy.
Dairy farmers can have their say on DairyNZ's Milksolids Levy from 16 February. The six-yearly vote determines whether to continue the 4.5c per kgMS levy, which funds research, policy advocacy, and on-farm support. Voting closes 5pm Friday 13 March.
Watch - DairyNZ chair and Kellogg and Nuffield Scholar, Tracy Brown, speaks on why it's important that every eligible dairy farmer casts a vote.
HortNZ responds to Emergency Bill.
HortNZ is working to ensure horticulture's needs are embedded in regional planning through the Emergency Management Bill select committee process. The Bill replaces the 2002 Civil Defence Act following recent cyclones and floods, aiming to strengthen agency coordination and emergency planning standards.
Out the Gate returns to Christchurch.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand's Out the Gate returns 19-21 May 2026 at Te Pae, Christchurch. Out the Gate is B+LNZ's largest red meat sector event, with an expanded programme that combines three events: Sheep Breeders Forum, flagship Out the Gate day, and Awards Dinner, plus new science sessions. Registrations are now open.
Rabobank leadership programmes in 2026.
Applications are open for Rabobank's 2026 Business Management Programmes. The Executive Development Programme targets farm owners and senior leaders, while the Farm Managers Programme supports emerging managers. Both programmes strengthen business capability and strategic thinking and are featured on MyLead, the leadership pathway generator.
SOPI forecasts 3% export growth.
MPI's December 2025 Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) forecasts food and fibre export revenue will rise 3% to $62 billion in the year to June 2026. The growth reflects volume increases in dairy, forestry and horticulture, alongside rising meat prices.
Zespri welcomes India trade deal.
The New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement removes tariffs on up to 15,000 tonnes of kiwifruit exports annually, with reduced tariffs beyond that. In return, Zespri's flagship cooperative Kiwifruit Action Plan will support Indian growers, opening access to one of the world's largest markets.
Industry news
Apply for the Mayfield Governance Development Programme.
Mayfield Group offers this comprehensive governance programme targeted at business owners, directors, future leaders and those reporting to boards. Running over six-months, this executive programme covers what is required to be an effective director and includes:
- Separating governance, management and representation
- Strategy, risk, legal duties and financials
- Effective board processes and practices
- Directors as leaders - culture, chair role, conflict resolution
- Future themes: Climate change, ESG, people retention, AI.
Key Dates:
Programme starts: 1st May 2026
First workshop: 11, 12, 13 May 2026 (in Auckland)
Second Workshop: October/November 2026 (in Auckland).
For any questions, contact Jo Woolley, jo@mayfieldgroup.co.nz
or 027 886 5700.
Banks Peninsula Drenched by a Month's Rainfall in 48 Hours
Banks Peninsula has been cut off by slips and flooding after nearly 10 times its monthly rainfall fell in 48 hours, with a state of emergency in place and State Highway 75 closed. Full article >
Alex Turnbull Takes the Helm at Yili Oceania Division
Alex Turnbull, a former Fonterra executive, has been appointed CEO of Yili's Oceania Business Division, overseeing all five of its New Zealand companies — Westland Milk Products, Oceania Dairy, Canary, EasiYo, and Pure Nutrition. Full article >
Leadership opportunities
Governance opportunity with DairyNZ.
DairyNZ is seeking an associate director for a one-year governance development role starting June 2026. The position offers levy-paying farmers hands-on board experience and mentoring from current directors. Applications close soon, Friday 20 February, 2025.
Strategic partners:
Dairy NZ | AGMARDT | FMG | Mackenzie Charitable Foundation
Programme partners:
Ministry for Primary Industries | Farmlands | Horticulture New Zealand | Zespri | LIC | Rabobank | Beef+Lamb New Zealand
Academic partners:
Lincoln University | Massey University
Media and professional partners:
Farmers Weekly | CountryWide Media | PwC | Federated Farmers | Tavendale and Partners
Regional partners:
Whanganui & Partners | Whangarei A&P Society
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