Tongan Student Wins Final William Gearish Award
Vetekina Pau'u is the first Tongan to win the William Gearish Memorial prize and sadly she will also be the last recipient.
Applications open on 1 October and close on 31 October 2026 at 11.59pm NZT.
The Award is open to New Zealand and Australian residents aged 21 to 35 who are actively engaged in the primary sector, with one winner selected from each country each year.
What Winners Receive
Winners receive a $10,000 education package alongside a bespoke programme of mentoring and professional development, including access to influential figures across farming, agribusiness and beyond.
All travel and accommodation for mentoring trips is covered, with flights sometimes taken by private plane to reach remote and diverse locations across both countries.
Finalists also join the Zanda Alumni, a network offering ongoing support and learning opportunities.
"It's Changed My Life"
2026 New Zealand winner Karn Dhaliwal, from the Waikato and founder of Ohinewai Harvest Ltd and Dhaliwal Ag Ltd, has just returned from mentoring trips around Australia and New Zealand as part of his prize.
"The Zanda McDonald Award is unique. There is nothing out there like it, and it's changed my life," Dhaliwal said.
"The biggest thing is the connections I've made and the people I've been fortunate to have around me. It's already opened up areas I hadn't even thought about, and I've only just started on my journey."
Why the Award Stands Out
Zanda McDonald Award Chair Shane McManaway MNZM said the Award's trans-Tasman focus and bespoke, personalised approach set it apart.
"We're excited to discover the next generation of passionate young Kiwis and Aussies who are poised to make a difference in agriculture," McManaway said.
"This Award is designed to develop their skills and broaden their horizons. Winners will engage with some of the top trans-Tasman agricultural operators, gaining invaluable insights and leadership skills that are truly transformative."
A Track Record of Career Acceleration
Organisers say the Award has built a reputation not just for honouring talent but for accelerating it, with past winners and finalists describing the experience as career-defining, enlightening and personally transformative.
Young people in farming, agribusiness or related primary sector careers looking for their next step are encouraged to apply before the 31 October deadline.
