Cut the excessive red tape!

Speaking at the awards night in Auckland this month, NZDIA Trustees chair and Horowhenua dairy farmer Richard McIntyre had a "simple message" for politicians in attendance.

"Kiwi dairy farmers are the best in the world. But we can't stay ahead of the rest if we are bogged down by excessive red tape," says McIntyre.

"All that does is stifle innovation. Yes, we need some regulation, but it needs to be practical, pragmatic, and fair. It should only be used to set the minimum standard - not the ambition.

"Leave that to individual farmers and the companies they supply to be led by the market and the expectations of their communities.

"If you let us do what we do best - innovative farming - we won't just meet expectations, we will undoubtedly exceed them."

Present at the awards were Associate Agriculture Minister Jo Luxton, Rural Communities and Local Government Minister Kieran McAnulty, Opposition Leader Chris Luxon, National trade and agriculture spokesman Todd McClay and ACT leader David Seymour.

The awards got off to a rough start as attendees were heckled by about 100 protestors gathered outside the central city hotel.

However, a large police presence both outside and inside the hotel kept the protestors at bay. The protestors, made up of animal rights and climate change groups were calling for an end to 'big dairying'.

Inside, about 500 farmers, agribusiness leaders, politicians and rural professionals gathered to honour the farmers.

Taranaki 'power couple' Hayden and Bridget Goble were named the 2023 New Zealand Share Farmer of the Year.

Hayden graduated from Telford in 2005 with a Diploma in Agriculture and runs the family business, while Bridget is a doctor, with a specialty in emergency medicine.

The judges were impressed with Bridget's on-farm technical knowledge and application.

"She's a busy full-time doctor, but she is boots-in and we enjoyed seeing how she makes a positive contribution to their business," said judge Michele Cranefield, ANZ senior manager.

"There is a power in their connection and balance of their partnership and they both have a genuine passion for the industry."

Canterbury/North Otago's Jack Symes became the 2023 New Zealand Dairy Manager of the Year and Bill Hamilton from Northland was announed the 2023 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year. The three winners shared prizes from a pool worth over $220,000.

McIntyre says the awards night celebrates not just the success of the finalists, but the collective success of the sector.

There is so much to celebrate, he says.

"Together we feed almost 100 million people each day with nutritious, healthy dairy products.

"We generate over $20 billion of exports for this country. And we employ more than 50,000 people - mostly in regional New Zealand."

McIntyre, who is also chair of Federated Farmers dairy section, says the sector is also making huge environmental progress.

"We've fenced off 98% of our waterways. We have over 7,000 Farm Environment Plans in place.

"And let's not forget that our dairy products have the lowest carbon footprint in the world.

"We did that - all of that - together. We were able to do it because we weren't afraid to change, to innovate and evolve; to rise to the challenge and meet the expectations of our communities and our customers."

Outgoing CEO Acknowledged

Outgoing DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle was awarded the Services to the Dairy Industry Award.

This was in recognition of his contribution to and advocacy for the New Zealand dairy industry over many years.

Richard McIntyre says the service to industry award is presented on rare occasions.

"It is an award that we reserve for those who have provided considerable service to the dairy industry," he says.

He says Mackle has always been hugely passionate about helping dairy farmers navigate the challenges they have faced and continue to face.

"In his 15 years as chief executive of DairyNZ, Tim has played a key role in developing DairyNZ's research & development programme and also the development of their science-based policy and advocacy function."

Mackle, who grew up on the family dairy farm in Kaikoura, says dairy is in his blood. He thanked the industry for the award.