Friday, 27 June 2025 15:14

New Federated Farmers meat and wool chair praises predecessor

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Federated Farmers' new meat and wool chair Richard Dawkins. Federated Farmers' new meat and wool chair Richard Dawkins.

Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.

The Malborough sheep and beef farmer acknowledged the great work that Williams had done during his two-years and eight-month stint.

Williams was voted out by the meat and wool group at their annual meeting in Christchurch on Wednesday. All roles in Federated Farmers are up for re-election every year – with a three-year term limit. Williams’ ouster came as a surprise.

Dawkins told Rural News that allowing members to run for leadership positions is a strength of Federated Farmers.

“The structure is such that the best man or woman can put their names forward for positions.”

He notes that the meat and wool group is run by 25 people who help the chair and eight-member executive, and they are “a tower house of experience for all”.

“I will ensure that we are hearing a lot from these people going forward.”

Dawkins also confirmed that the ‘Save our Sheep’ campaign, spearheaded by Williams, to stop whole sheep farms being converted to forestry will continue.

Dawkins (35), farms with his wife Jess in the Waihopai Valley near Blenheim.

More like this

Bouquets

OPINION: Bouquets this week from the old mutt for Fed Farmers and Groundswell for continuing to resist the proposed Gore District plan and its intention to apply costly "cultural values" across the district and a raft of land classifications that are unworkable and counterproductive.

Feds Label New Farmer Group 'Bad News'

A verbal stoush has broken out between Federated Farmers and a new group that claims to be fighting against cheaper imports that undermine NZ farmers.

Featured

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Half A Brain

OPINION: When Donald Trump returned to the White House, many people with half a brain could see the results for…

Inconvenient Truths

OPINION: Media trust has tanked because of what media's more woke members do and say.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter