The awards dinner held at Awakeri Events Centre near Edgecumbe also saw Reno Moses awarded the Bay of Plenty Dairy Manager of the Year title while the Dairy Trainee of the Year title went to Breiton Tuwairua.
Stefan and Rachel Grobecker are 50/50 sharemilkers for Wendy Wilson and Sue Hughes on Mary Allen Farm at Waimana, milking 255 cows on 119ha.
Stefan studied civil engineering at university but moved into a career into dairy farming, moving up from farm assistant through the ranks to contract milker then sharemilking with partner Rachel.
“It was a challenge to understand a totally new industry. Moving from engineering to farming, construction management is about solving a few really big problems to achieve success in a project – farming is about getting the little things right every day.”
Like many farming businesses, the couple have had both highs and some tough learning moments in recent years. Those experiences have strengthened their focus on good systems, daily discipline, and continuous improvement. They’re committed to refining their processes and becoming the best farmers they can be.
Stefan and Rachel took home an impressive $11,350 prize package.
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The 2026 Bay of Plenty Dairy Manager of the Year Reno Moses won $9,525 and four merit awards on Tuesday evening.
The 28-year-old is farm manager for Scott and Rebecca O’Brien on Rory and Susan Gordon’s 260ha farm at Galatea, milking 700 cows.
Reno entered the Dairy Industry Awards again this year because it pushed him outside of his comfort zone to keep improving and gain more knowledge.
Reno manages the farm without the boss living on farm so he has had to learn to manage staff and problem solve when things go wrong.
Judges said Reno “showed exceptional leadership who drives team performance and farm success”.
Reno is passionate about striking a good balance between work and being home with his wife and two young children.
“Spending quality time with my family and finding time for hunting and fishing and rugby is very important – I’ve seen what stress can do to people and I don’t want it to have the same effect on me.”
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Bay of Plenty Dairy Manager of the Year Reno Moses. |
His goal is building enough equity to go contract milking in the next three years.
Winner of the 2026 Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee Breiton Tuwairua won $7,100 in prizes and one merit ward.
Breiton is 2IC for Sam and Kate Moore on Tuhōe Te Uru Taumatua farm, milking 470 cows on 140ha.
“What I love about farming is being outside everyday and beating everyone to the good sunrises.”
Judges said “Breiton has the X-factor and the depth of his Wairua (his spirit) shone through in his responses”.
The 21-year-old is passionate about farming a sustainable operation that works with the land not just on it.
“The Tauranga River that is next to our farm is what hydrated and supplied my ancestors with water to sustain their crops. This river is part of who I am. I’m excited to see my progress as the years go by and hope to achieve my personal farm goals of working towards a more sustainable dairy system.”
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Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee of the Year Breiton Tuwairua. |
The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors ASB, CowManager, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Honda, LIC, Power Farming and Trelleborg, along with industry partners Fonterra, DairyNZ, and The Country.
