Pāmu Appoints Dave Nuku as Associate Director
State farmer Pāmu (Landcorp) has announced Dave Nuku is its new Associate Director, joining the board as an observer from 1 March 2026.
State farmer Pāmu has announced two new appointments to governance roles.
Libby Tosswill has been announced as Pāmu’s associate director and an observer on its board.
Tosswill has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Otago and a financial markets background both in New Zealand and internationally.
Since, 2010 she and her husband Ben have been farming near Pōrangahau on Birch Hill Station, a 1,300ha sheep and farm with production forestry, 350ha of native bush, including a mainland long-tailed bat colony.
Libby joined Pāmu in time for its February board and sub-committee meetings. The team farewelled Bridget Giesen who has been in the associate director role for the past 12 months at its March meeting in Dunedin this week.
The state-owned enterprise has also announced that international food marketer Jillian Laing has been appointed to the board of Spring Sheep Milk Co, a public-private partnership jointly owned by Pāmu and SLC Group.
Pāmu chief executive Mark Leslie says Laing brings expertise in marketing and sales, a global lens and connections, and commerciality in the demand generation space.
“She has been the CEO of a tech start-up and had extensive experience in global sales and marketing while she was at Fonterra,” Leslie says. “Now in her role with the World Macadamia Organisation, she is across consumer trends and customer insights globally. Jillian brings a new perspective, and we are excited to welcome her into the fold.”
Pāmu board chair Warren Parker says the company has a focus on increasing agri-sector leadership opportunities for women and Māori.
“Growing directors for the future is a great way to ensure continuity and development opportunities for the benefit of both individuals and the wider primary sector,” he says. “These sorts of initiatives provide those with governance potential and ambition, the opportunity to participate on a board.”
“It also provides boards with exposure to diverse talent, ideas, and experiences. I’d like to acknowledge respected industry leader Peter McClure’s contribution in the selection process of Jillian who will help to strengthen our appreciation of export marketing and sales skills especially into Asia.”
Rural contractors are getting guidance on how to deal with recent rising fuel prices.
An Ōpunake farmer with a poor effluent system has been fined $35,000 with a discount on the penalty discarded after he charged at a Taranaki Regional Council officer inspecting the ‘systematic problems’ on his farm.
The horticulture sector is under threat because of vulnerabilities of the country's transport infrastructure, according to a report commissioned by a collective representing a range of groups in the sector.
Silver Fern Farms chief executive Dan Boulton says the meat processor wants to find ways of getting product destined for Middle East markets into those markets as opposed to try and place them elsewhere.
The current Middle East war could not have happened at a worse time for New Zealand.
This week, more than 100 farmers, policy makers, politicians and other industry influencers will gather at the annual Dairy Environment Leaders (DEL) Forum to workshop positive environmental change for New Zealand dairy.

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