Dairy unity
OPINION: A last-minute compromise ensured that the election of the new Federated Farmers national dairy chair wasn't a repeat of the Super 15 rugby final - Canterbury versus Waikato.
King Country farmer Jacqui Hahn is Waikato Federated Farmers first woman president.
Read: Online handover of Feds presidency.
Hahn is currently vice chair of the Feds’ national dairy executive. She will relinquish that role.
“Although I greatly enjoy being on the national dairy executive, I don’t believe I could do both dairy vice chair and Waikato president justice, and I notified the National Dairy Council last year of my intentions,” she told Dairy News.
Hahn says she wants to see more women participate in Feds leadership.
“I would like to see more women on our board. I have heard some ladies would be interested and I encourage them to get to the district AGMs when these are held and get on boards.
“Diverse thought is what drives good robust board decisions.”
As Waikato Feds president, Hahn says she is ready for the challenges.
“The challenges of environmental regulation, the need to keep the primary sector working together as a whole.
“I’m a mixed farmer with an open mind who wants to get the best for our communities’ well being, and make them more resilient.
“I believe I am a good fit for the current challenges and I believe I am a good chair that encourages diverse and robust debate.”
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