West Otago Farmer Luke Kane Wins Rabobank 2026 Prize
West Otago dairy farmer Luke Kane has been awarded the 2026 Rabobank Dr John Morris Business Development Prize.
Rob Hewett, chair of AgriZeroNZ's board, says he welcomes Macfarlane, adding that he brings a combination of governance expertise, commercial acumen and hands-on farming experience.
“Andy’s experience across a range of farming systems and value chains, combined with his commercial pragmatism and ability to connect market signals with on-farm decision-making will be of immense benefit to AgriZeroNZ and the work we are doing for farmers across New Zealand," Hewett says.
Macfarlane is a director of ANZCO Foods and Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation Ltd. He and his wife Tricia have farming interests across dairy, deer, sheep and beef sectors in Canterbury.
He has previously held governance roles with Fonterra, AgResearch, Ngāi Tahu Farming, Deer Industry New Zealand and the New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management, as well as 12 years as a Lincoln University councillor.
Macfarlane says he is pleased to join AgriZeroNZ at a time when new emissions reduction tools are moving closer to on-farm use.
“While New Zealand farmers are already among the most emissions-efficient in the world, our future success depends on continuing to innovate and solidify the competitive advantages we do have in selling to the world’s best customers.
“AgriZeroNZ has built a strong pipeline of emissions-reduction tools, a number of which are also promising from a productivity perspective. I’m pleased to join the board as we work to make those solutions adoptable on-farm and ultimately strengthen the competitiveness of New Zealand agriculture.”
Macfarlane replaces Fraser Whineray following the completion of his term.
“As a founding director, Fraser has played a key role in getting AgriZeroNZ out of the starting gates and positioning it for success. On behalf of the board and our partners, I thank him for his contribution.”
Macfarlane's appointment is for a three-year term and maintains AgriZeroNZ's Board membership of seven, following the government’s recent extension of Jessie Chan and Sir Neville Jordan’s terms.
“We look forward to putting practical tools in farmers’ hands to address the vexing issue of biogenic emissions and help future-proof New Zealand’s agricultural sector,” Hewett says.
