Tony Dodunski Wins Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award
Milking cows in the environmentally sensitive Lake Ellesemere/Te Waihora catchment in Canterbury has kept Tony Dodunski on his toes.
The 2018 Auckland-Hauraki Share Farmers of the Year, Chris and Sally Guy, say taking part in the Dairy Industry Awards has been life-changing.
“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.
Horticulture New Zealand’s Board has welcomed the re-election of grower-elected directors Alistair Petrie and Doug Brown.
The bright ideas of New Zealand's primary sector have been celebrated with an announcement of the winners of the 2026 Innovation Awards.
Newly appointed Federated Farmers vice president Sandra Faulkner says she is honoured and excited to hold the role.
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New Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst says he will ensure that farmer voices are heard loud and clear wherever decisions are being made.
Paynes Titus Excelsior ET, an LIC bull bred by Brad Payne and Claire Brodie in the Waikato, has won the JT Thwaites Sire of the Season 2026 Award.