08 July 2022 Former city slicker now rural leader with Lincoln-backed award

The 26-year-old dairy farmer, who worked in the fitness industry in Australia until 2020, also won the prestigious Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award last year after just one season on-farm. He is now in a sole-charge position on a 290-cow farm in Galatea.

He told RNZ that he wants to give back for all the support he’s received.

"To be named an emerging leader is definitely a responsibility for me," he said. "I think as I’ve grown in the industry. You start to realise that it becomes less and less about yourself, which is awesome, and my whole thinking now is who’s next?"