Monday, 09 May 2016 11:55

Search for emerging primary industry leaders

Written by 
MPI director-general, Martyn Dunne. MPI director-general, Martyn Dunne.

A new scholarship programme aims to support an emerging leader within the primary industries.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), AGMARDT (The Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust) and Te Hono Movement launched the new scholarship programme – the Emerging Primary Industries Leaders Scholarship.

The scholarship recipient will attend the 2016 Te Hono Movement Stanford Bootcamp in Palo Alto, California.

MPI director-general, Martyn Dunne, says the purpose of the scholarship is to recognise the nominee who demonstrates the best potential to make a difference as a senior leader in the primary industries.

"Increasing consumer expectations, an emphasis on sustainability, new technologies, and an increasingly complex global supply chain are just some of the elements that are redefining the requirements of the primary industries. To excel, the primary industries need strong and innovative leaders," he says.

The Te Hono Movement was launched in 2011 and is the brainchild of The New Zealand Merino Company's chief executive John Brakenridge.

Te Hono Movement's vision is to accelerate the transformation of the primary sector from price taking to market shaping and to drive action to increase the prosperity of New Zealand.

The group comprises diverse alumni of more than 130 chief executives and leaders, representing 80% of the New Zealand primary sector.

John Brakenridge says the Te Hono Movement started with the premise that there is significant potential to unlock the value of the country's primary sector.

"Unlocking this potential requires thinking and doing things differently. The Stanford Bootcamp offers leaders the chance to learn the process of and apply design thinking to their business and seek opportunities for collaboration."

"New Zealand already has an excellent reputation for exporting high-quality foods and fibres. What's often missing is a deep appreciation of how to appeal to end users in a way that creates value. We need to be world leaders in what we produce, but even more importantly in how we sell it. Te Hono Movement has been established to bridge this gap," he says.

AGMARDT General Manager Malcolm Nitschke says the scholarship recipient will engage with current industry leaders and contribute to discussions about the future of the primary industries.

"It's a unique opportunity to think about and guide the future direction of the primary industries. The experience goes far beyond attending the Te Hono Movement Stanford Bootcamp, it means tapping into wider leadership initiatives within the sector," he says.

Nominations for the scholarship close on 16 May 2016.

More like this

Controls lifted at poultry farm

Movement controls have been lifted from Mainland Poultry’s Hillgrove Farm in Otago, after the successful eradication of H7N6 strain of high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

Farmers struggle with water and feed shortages

The drought in western parts of the North Island is reaching crisis point with many farmers from Northland to Taranaki having to truck in water and feed for their stock at great expense.

East Coast Expo delivers two action-packed days of events

The recent East Coast Farming Expo, held over two days at Wairoa, offered an insight into the current state of agriculture on the east of the North Island, at a time when the locals are remembering the second anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Featured

ANZCO Foods' net profit plunges

Meat processor ANZCO Foods’ net profit has plunged on the back of lower market returns which squeezed margins and impacted business performance.

Editorial: Forest for the trees?

OPINION: Most people will be aware of the Government's plans to boost coal, oil and gas production to meet energy requirements.

Protest planned outside dairy awards venue

As the dairy industry prepares to celebrate its top achievers at an awards night this Saturday, attendees are being warned to be aware of protests planned outside the venue – Baypark Arena, Mount Mauganaui.

National

Machinery & Products

Iconic TPW Woolpress turns 50!

The company behind the iconic TPW Woolpress, which fundamentally changed the way wool is baled in Australia and New Zealand,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Keep it up

OPINION: The good fight against "banking wokery" continues with a draft bill to scrap the red tape forcing banks and…

We're OK!

OPINION: Despite the volatility created by the shoot-from-the-hip trade tariff 'stratefy' being deployed by the new state tenants in the…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter