No regrets choosing cows over boardroom
Winning the 2025 New Zealand Share Farmers of the Year still hasn't sunk in for Thomas and Fiona Langford.
“As well as enabling us to grow professionally, the awards opens an invaluable network in the industry and offers entrants the chance to be part of a supportive and like-minded community,” they say.
“You will learn much, connect with industry professionals and grow your career just by being part of the process.”
Entries for the Auckland-Hauraki Dairy Industry Awards close on November 16.
Sally Guy says the awards enable people working in the industry -- trainees, dairy mangers, share farmers -- to be recognised for their involvement.
“The awards programme brings a focus on learning, development and growth. Entrants are given the opportunity to connect with leading professionals, join a community of like-minded people and grow from the experience offered.
“There is a positive and encouraging atmosphere where you will meet supportive rural professionals from your region and your regional committee members, all there to mentor and support entrants in achieving excellence through their career.”
Entrants in the Auckland-Hauraki region will be offered mentors by their team leaders. This year Quinn Youngman, Auckland-Hauraki Trainee of the Year, will mentor the trainees; Terence Potter, Auckland-Hauraki Dairy Manager of the Year, will mentor the dairy managers; and Chris Guy, Auckland-Hauraki Share Farmer of the Year, will mentor the share farmer entrants.
Auckland-Hauraki awards regional manager Amber Carpenter says the committee encourages visiting the awards website or the Auckland-Hauraki awards Facebook page.
There are also national earlybird prize draws for entrants before October 20 (as follows): Share Farmer of the Year, XR150 Honda motorbike, value $4200; Dairy Manager of the Year, Honda lawnmower and blower, value $2000; and Dairy Trainee of the Year, Honda lawnmower, value $1000.
The awards are sponsored by Westpac, DeLaval, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra Farm Source, Honda Motorcycles, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown, DairyNZ and Primary ITO.
Auckland-Hauraki entrants can also win a regional entrants’ prize -- a fishing pack valued at $2105 from Boehringer Ingelheim.
The prize will be drawn at the regional events dinner on the March 10, 2019.
