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Hi there,
Welcome to this edition of The Rural Leader.
We hope many of you enjoyed the energy and connection of Fieldays. By all accounts, this year's event was one of the best yet.
We head into a busy three weeks at Rural Leaders, beginning next Tuesday with Kellogg. Cohort 56 will start Phase One at Lincoln over the first two weeks, followed by Cohort 55 presenting their Phase Three research in week three. We'll share these reports with our investing partners shortly afterwards, before making them more widely available.
Our 2025 Nuffield Scholars – Dani Darke, Lisa Portas and Jon Pemberton – have now completed their Nuffield journey. Their final workshop, facilitated by Professor Hamish Gow (Lincoln University) and the Rural Leaders team, was held at PwC Christchurch on 5 June.
The workshop focused on drawing out key insights, observations and learnings from the scholars' international travel and research. We look forward to sharing their findings on our website in the coming weeks. In the meantime, you'll find a topline summary in this edition.
Applications are now open for the 2027 Nuffield Scholarships. If you're considering this unique, life-changing opportunity, we encourage you to hear directly from recent scholars by viewing the testimonials on our website.
In the first of two Ideas That Grow podcasts, Murray King (2003 Nuffield Scholar) joins Farmers Weekly Managing Editor Bryan Gibson (2025 Kellogg Scholar) to explore the history and enduring value of the Nuffield Scholarships, and the pivotal 'aha' moment that shaped Murray's career.
Applications are also open for the HortNZ Leadership Programme. Horticulture New Zealand is offering 12 scholarships covering programme fees and accommodation, plus up to four additional places at a cost of $5,000 + GST.
Our second Ideas That Grow podcast features Ethan Gillespie, a 2025 HortNZ Leadership Programme graduate. Ethan shares valuable insights into the programme and reflects on his own leadership journey within the horticulture sector.
In this month's Alumni in the Spotlight, we share updates from members of our alumni community, including Kellogg alumna Natasha Cave (2025) and Nuffield alumni Kate Scott (2018), Lynsey Stratford (2021), Roger Barton (1995), and others.
You'll also find the latest partner updates, industry developments, and leadership opportunities from across the food and fibre sector.
We hope you enjoy this edition of The Rural Leader.
Ngā mihi, The Rural Leaders Team
PODCAST
Murray King on an Idaho ‘aha!’ moment and a life shaped by Nuffield.
In this first of two Ideas that Grow Podcasts, Murray King, 2003 Nuffield Scholar and Rural Leaders Board member, talks to Bryan Gibson, Managing Editor at Farmers Weekly. He shares his journey from horticulture and the 1980s agricultural downturn to running the family farm in Nelson and chairing organisations such as LIC.
Now sitting on the selection side of the table two decades after his own scholarship, Murray reflects on why stepping away from your business is the point rather than the cost, and the advice he offers anyone weighing it up, “the busiest people are the ones who can least afford not to apply.”
Listen on your favourite podcast player:
Insights from the 2025 Nuffield NZ Farming Scholars.
A full-day workshop was held last week at PwC Christchurch, facilitated by Prof. Hamish Gow and delivered by Rural Leaders.
The workshop brought together insights from the 2025 Nuffield New Zealand Farming Scholars: Dani Darke, Jon Pemberton, and Lisa Portas. (Alan McDermott is completing his research and travel).
This was the final piece in the Nuffield programme for this cohort, completing an 18 month journey since being awarded their scholarships in Wellington, November 2024.
We’ll have an insights report on the Rural Leaders’ site in the coming weeks, but here is a short summary of the session which drew on insights from the scholars' global travel and research. Topline insights included:
- Trust is shifting from reputation to verification, with proof and accreditation becoming increasingly important.
- Success depends on understanding how markets and consumers perceive value, not just how it is produced.
- Technology, capital, regulatory certainty and labour productivity will increasingly shape competitiveness.
- Collaboration, trusted intermediaries and strong sector alignment are critical.
- A key takeaway was that New Zealand's challenge is less about capability and more about coordination.
Refer someone in your team or network for a Nuffield Scholarship.
Applications for the 2027 Nuffield Scholarships are open until 23 August.
If you know talented individuals you think could make an impact in our primary industries, refer them via our quick online form (anonymously if you wish).
We’ll reach out to them and let them know there are people in their network who believe they have what it takes to be a Nuffield Scholar.
We’re aiming for 15 referrals by the end of June. Help us find some of the many bold, curious and community-minded individuals we have doing great things across our sector.
Leaders shaped by insight and defined by impact.
Scholars often talk about the transformative, life-changing impact of Nuffield, both on them as people and as leaders.
While the Nuffield Scholarship programme provides many positive observations and interactions with the places and people at the leading edge of global agricultural innovation, there is often one moment that stands out.
These ‘aha’ moments of insight can shift perspectives instantly and can ultimately shape a scholar's leadership trajectory in unexpected and positive ways.
We’ve collated just a few scholars’ ‘aha’ moments of insight to show how these scholars gained new perspectives, challenged their assumptions, and unlocked fresh ways of thinking.
We hope these stories of insight inspire curiosity and a desire to experience the transformational journey that is Nuffield for yourself.
You can take a look at these ‘aha’ moments and register your interest in the 2027 Nuffield Scholarships here.
Applications close 23 August 2026.
PODCAST
Hear from a 2025 HortNZ Leadership Programme alum.
Applications for the HortNZ Leadership Programme Scholarships (and paid places) are open until 28 June.
Horticulture New Zealand is offering 12 scholarships covering programme fees and accommodation costs. There are also up to four positions available for a programme fee of $5,000 +GST plus accommodation.
Starting 10 August 2026, in Auckland, the programme is designed for potential and current leaders in the fruit and vegetable industry. It provides ‘ready-to-use’ leadership skills, such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving.
Want to learn more? Take a listen to Ethan Gillespie, a 2025 programme alum, and Associate Agronomist with Brownrigg Agriculture Group Ltd.
Ethan discusses his experience on the programme - how it broadened his understanding of leadership, advocacy, and strategic decision-making.
He shares insights into his own leadership development, industry collaboration, and the pathways available for emerging leaders in New Zealand's horticulture sector.
Listen to Ethan on your favourite podcast player:
Alumni in the Spotlight
In this Alumni in the Spotlight, we hear news from Roger Barton (1994 Nuffield), Kylie Leonard (2023 Nuffield), Rebecca Hyde (2017 Nuffield and 2021 Kellogg), Phil Weir (2020 Nuffield), and others.
You can read this edition of Alumni in the Spotlight here.
Kylie Leonard
(Nuffield 2023)
Kylie represented NZ at the 2026 Nuffield Triennial in Ireland, joining an international panel championing farmer voices globally. More...
Phil Weir
(Nuffield 2020)
Phil's Eating the Elephant piece reframes children as farming's most important customers, urging presence over busyness. More...
Tracy Brown
(Nuffield 2020, Kellogg 1997)
In a recent article, Tracy argues NZ dairy's future depends on investing in people, skills, sustainability, and broader career pathways. More...
Rebecca Hyde (Nuffield 2017, Kellogg 2021)
Rebecca's recent Farmers Weekly article reflects on raising children while farming, celebrating resilience, community, and rural women's leadership. More...
Roger Barton
(Nuffield 1994)
Roger, a Wairarapa farmer and new Safer Farms Regional Champion, draws on his own injury experiences to promote practical farm safety. More...
Natasha Cave
(Kellogg 2025)
Natasha joined a Fieldays panel discussing wearables and virtual fencing for hill country pasture management, drawing on her Kellogg report. 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
DairyNZ - Economic update: higher milk price but rising costs adding pressure
DairyNZ's 20th annual Economic Survey confirms 2024–25 as one of dairy's strongest seasons in a decade, though rising fuel, fertiliser and feed costs are forecast to lift the 2026–27 breakeven milk price to $8.79/kgMS. More...
FMG - Spot Check Roadie completes another season of free rural skin checks
This season the initiative visited more than 40 rural locations and completed over 1,500 free skin checks, with 321 people found to have suspicious lesions, including 87 suspected melanomas. For many, the check has been life‑changing. More...
Zespri - Strong 2025 season result reflecting global demand
Zespri returned a record $3.56 billion to the New Zealand industry for the 2025 season, with global fruit sales revenue reaching $5.9 billion from a record 248.1 million trays sold. More...
B+LNZ - Red meat sector drives nearly $50 billion in annual spending
New BERL research shows the red meat sector generates $48.7 billion in annual spending, contributes $17.5 billion to GDP, and supports 120,580 full-time equivalent jobs across New Zealand. More...
Farmlands - New partnership boosts mental health support for farmers
Farmers throughout New Zealand will have access to free mental health support thanks to a new partnership between Farmlands and Rural Support Trust, powered by the ignite platform, providing more than 1,500 sessions over three years. More...
Rabobank - Beef prices expected to remain strong as global production contracts
Rabobank's Q2 Beef Quarterly forecasts firm beef prices through 2026 as global production falls 2.2%, while New Zealand bucks the trend with production tipped to rise 3–4% year-on-year. More...
MPI - June 2026 SOPI forecasts record $64.3 billion food and fibre exports
The latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries report forecasts food and fibre export revenue rising 6% to $64.3 billion in the year to 30 June 2026. More...
HortNZ - Welcomes report forecasting further export growth
Responding to MPI's latest SOPI report, HortNZ notes horticulture export revenue is forecast to rise 7% to $9.5 billion in the year to 30 June 2026, growing to $9.7 billion by 2027. More...
LIC - National reproductive performance reaches new high
LIC data for the 2025/26 season shows a record six-week in-calf rate of 70.4%, up from 70.2%, with the not-in-calf rate stable at 14.7% across 4,776 herds. More...
Industry news
LIFT Programme launched to transform sheep and beef farming
A new $8.47 million Pāmu-led programme, with $3.55 million MPI investment, will use virtual fencing across nine demonstration farms to lift hill country productivity, targeting $536 million in additional annual farm-gate returns by 2036. More...
Crossbred Wool Prices Hit 15-Year High
Crossbred fleeces at the latest PGG Wrightson auction ranged between $6.47 and $6.80 a kilogram, with the best lots breaking through $7 for the first time in almost a generation - levels not seen since around 2011. More...
Seafood Sector Dips but Aquaculture Eyes Long-Term Growth
New Zealand's seafood export earnings are forecast to fall around 3% to $2.15 billion for the year ending 30 June 2026, driven by softer salmon returns, lower mussel spat availability, and harvest constraints. More...
Leadership Opportunities
HortNZ Board - 2026 Directors' Election
Nominations are open from active grower members for two elected director positions, with retiring directors Alistair Petrie and Doug Brown seeking re-election. Any election will be held at the 28 July AGM in Wellington. More...
Strategic partners:
Dairy NZ | FMG | Mackenzie Charitable Foundation
Programme partners:
Ministry for Primary Industries | Farmlands | HortNZ | 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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