Southland Farmers Named 2026 Sustainable Farming Ambassadors
Michelle and Tony Roberts didn't inherit the farming business they have today. They’ve built it from the ground up.
The couple were also announced as recipients of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington.
Managed by Grant Bezett, Auldamor is primarily a sheep breeding and finishing operation, with additional cattle grazing, and carbon and production forestry.
Steven and Kellie are constantly evolving their farming business through diversification and adapting production systems, all while considering environmental impact.
In 2007, the Nichols leased 976ha from Steven’s parents and purchased it outright in 2010.
Nine years later, in 2019, the farming operation was extended with an additional 522ha neighbouring lease block.
The team runs 4,500 ewes, 1,500 hoggets and 80 rams, grazing an average of 290 mixed-age beef cows each year.
The Nichols have focused on improving the farm’s subdivision and infrastructure, with several initiatives to improve soil health, including a no-till drilling programme. This has led to improved pasture resilience, better yields, and improved stock performance and animal health.
The regional judges commended the Nichols’ high level of knowledge about all aspects of their farm, their farming business and their guardianship of it, noting that – along with farm manager Grant Bezett – they make a great team, with many complementary skillsets.
Chair of the National Judging Panel, Dianne Kidd says the exceptionally high calibre of Regional Supreme Winners this year, with all farms and orchards presented to an incredibly high standard.
“Steven and Kellie Nichol certainly demonstrated that they will be excellent Ambassadors for the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust and are worthy recipients of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy,” Kidd says. “They articulated clear, intelligent and insightful responses to our questions demonstrating an ability to communicate often complex ideas and issues in an easy-to-understand manner. Combined with their on-farm judging experience we know they can and will ‘walk the talk’.”
The National Judging Panel also commended the Nichols for their “passion for farming with a holistic approach, bringing off-farm skills into the business.”
The National Sustainability Showcase event at Te Papa Tongarewa celebrated each of the ten Ballance Farm Environment Awards Regional Supreme Winners from across the country. Hosted by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, the event is held annually as the pinnacle of the BFEA programme, and connects primary industry representatives from across the sector.
