Source: Federated Farmers
Karl Dean (36) and Richard Dawkins (35) have been elected to the Federated Farmers board at the organisation’s AGM in Christchurch, replacing Richard McIntyre and Toby Williams.
“It’s really exciting to have two capable young leaders like Karl and Richard stepping up into these significant national leadership roles,” Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says.
“While they may be new to our national team, they’re by no means new to Federated Farmers. They’ve held senior leadership roles within our organisation for some time now.
“Karl and Richard are both highly respected and experienced farmers within their regions, and have worked their way up from the grassroots.
“I have no doubt they’ll both make a huge contribution.”
Karl Dean, who sharemilks with his wife Amie near Leeston in Canterbury, has been elected as the organisation’s new national dairy chair.
He has previously held roles as Federated Farmers North Canterbury provincial president and vice-chair of the national dairy council.
“It’s a real privilege to be elected to the board, and I’m genuinely excited about the opportunity to help lead a constructive and future-focused dairy council,” Dean says.
“It’s also been a huge honour to work with Richard McIntyre over the past seven years on the dairy council, and his 12 years of service hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“His leadership has helped shape a strong, positive culture, and I’m committed to carrying that legacy forward.”
Richard Dawkins, who farms with his wife Jess in the Waihopai Valley near Blenheim, has been elected as the organisation’s new national meat & wool chair.
He has previously spent five years on Federated Farmers’ national meat & wool council and two years as Marlborough province’s vice-president.
“It’s a huge honour to be elected to this role and I’m really looking forward to leading a young and dynamic team of meat and wool farmers who are passionate about the future,” Dawkins says.
“The face fronting the ‘Save our Sheep’ campaign may have changed, but the team standing behind it remains the same. We’re ready to tackle the challenges sheep farmers face head on.”
Langford also acknowledges the role outgoing board members Richard McIntyre and Toby Williams have played in a significant revival at Federated Farmers over the last few years.
“Both Richard and Toby have been real heavyweights who were absolutely relentless in their advocacy for farmers and rural communities,” Langford says.
“Richard is probably best known for his work calling for an independent inquiry into rural banking, but his legacy within Federated Farmers is so much bigger than that.
“He also put in a huge amount of effort pushing for better immigration settings for farmers, and changes to KiwiSaver rules that will really help our next generation of young farmers.
“Toby’s impact has been enormous too. He’s the man who stepped up to put the final nails into the coffin of He Waka Eke Noa.
“He’s also led the charge in the fight against blanket carbon forestry on productive farmland, launching the iconic ‘Save Our Sheep’ campaign earlier this year.”
Langford says while goodbyes are always difficult, they also create an exciting opportunity for new leaders to step up, bring fresh thinking, and stamp their own mark on the future of farming.
“Nobody has a job for life at Federated Farmers. Our roles are up for re-election every year and there’s always somebody waiting in the wings ready to step up.
“That’s what keeps us on our toes and accountable to our members at the grassroots – but it’s also what keeps the fire burning in our bellies to keep delivering tangible results for farmers.
“As an organisation, we’re lucky to have passionate young guys like Karl and Richard putting their hands up for some pretty big leadership roles within the sector.
“I know they’re going to make a real impact for farmers, and will pick up the fight exactly where Richard and Toby left off. I’m looking forward to working with them.”
