Awards – Primary Industries Award winners announced

A pioneer of rural radio, a titan of the dairy industry, and some of New Zealand’s most influential leaders are among the winners of this year’s Primary Industries Awards.

More than 500 people gathered in Auckland tonight to celebrate the best and brightest across New Zealand’s primary sector – a sell-out crowd.

The annual Primary Industries New Zealand Awards recognise the people, businesses and organisations helping drive the country’s food and fibre industries forward.

There was a standing ovation when Jim van der Poel was recognised for his incredible service to the dairy sector, receiving the Outstanding Contribution to Primary Industries Award.

Judges described van der Poel as “an absolute titan” of the New Zealand dairy industry. 

“When you talk about New Zealand’s primary industries, there are very few names that carry more weight than that of Jim van der Poel.

“Jim has made a significant, sustained and truly outstanding contribution spanning more than four decades of loyal service.”

Van der Poel’s distinguished career has spanned farming, business, and industry governance.

He was instrumental in the merger that formed Fonterra, and steered the DairyNZ board as chairman through a period that presented significant challenge for the sector, from 2017 to 2024.

“Jim was at the helm as the dairy industry navigated the highs and lows of the milk price, an upswing in environmental regulation, and the Mycoplasma bovis biosecurity incursion.

“Throughout all these challenges, Jim carried himself with absolute integrity, dedication and empathy.”

Another stalwart of rural New Zealand, Neil Bateup, was announced winner of the Champion Award, recognising his decades spent supporting farmers and rural families through challenging times.

Bateup helped establish the Waikato Hauraki Coromandel Rural Support Trust in 2004, then served as chair of the New Zealand Rural Support Trust from 2017 to 2024 after playing a key role in establishing the national network.

Judges said Bateup was “quiet, humble but tenacious” and had been a visionary for the wellbeing of the rural community.

Legendary rural commentator and radio host Jamie Mackay was crowned Agricultural Communicator of the Year.

Mackay is the founder and host of flagship rural radio show The Country, now more than 30 years old.

Judges said Mackay was a pioneer of rural radio who’d achieved national reach.

Another well-known radio personality, Alexa Cook, won the Excellence in Agricultural Journalism Rongo Award for her series on Hawke’s Bay pine expansion.

Judges said she’d written an “outstanding feature that brought new perspective to the issue of carbon forestry and land use change impacts”.

They praised the RNZ reporter for taking a thoughtful approach to ensure both sides were told, and for bringing this story to the wider attention of the general public.

The Rural Woman of the Year Award – a new category – was presented to Kate Acland, chair of Beef + Lamb New Zealand.

Judges said Acland had shown “inspirational leadership” in changing both the culture and effectiveness of Beef + Lamb.

“Under Kate’s leadership, we have seen a significant change in the sentiment of Beef + Lamb’s levy-payers.

“Someone needed to do it and Kate felt that she had the strength to take on the challenge and reset the organisation.”

Young Waikato dairy farmer Danielle Hovmand claimed the Emerging Leader Award for her “selfless leadership qualities” in roles with Young Farmers and Federated Farmers.

“Her advocacy, community involvement, ability to connect with and uplift others demonstrate a level of maturity and influence well beyond her years, making her a standout emerging leader,” judges said.

The Team & Collaboration Award went to Sow the Seed, the Horticulture and Agriculture Teachers Association’s advisory team.

When the Government proposed removing agribusiness and agricultural and horticultural science from the senior curriculum last year, Sow the Seed successfully fought to keep the subjects.

Judges said the group “protected a critical pathway for people coming into the industry”.

Prism Earth took home the Technology & Innovation Award for developing a system that helps New Zealand’s primary sector comply with the European Union’s strict deforestation regulations, ensuring ongoing access to a $200 million export market.

Judges said the solution “positions New Zealand as one of the only countries ready to meet the EU’s strict regulations while future-proofing our sector’s environmental credentials”.

The Food, Beverage and Fibre Producer Award, which recognises an outstanding product from New Zealand’s primary sector, was won by T&G Global for its apples business.

Judges pointed to T&G’s premium ENVY brand, which has delivered strong returns per hectare for growers, with leading performers achieving over $115,000 per ha, rivalling kiwifruit returns.

Parininihi ki Waitotara (PKW) was named winner of the Guardianship & Conservation Award (Kaitiakitanga Award), celebrating an outstanding conservation project or initiative within New Zealand’s primary industries.

Judges said the Māori agribusiness had ingrained kaitiakitanga into its business over 30 years, ensuring environment, people and animals were all covered with actions and metrics to improve performance.

Agricultural Communicator of the Year Award

Winner: Jamie Mackay

Rural Woman of the Year Award

Winner: Kate Acland

The Excellence in Agricultural Journalism Rongo Award

Winner: Alexa Cook

Emerging Leader Award

Winner: Danielle Hovmand

Champion Award

Winner: Neil Bateup

Team & Collaboration Award

Winner: Sow the Seed, Horticulture & Agriculture Teachers Association (HATA)

Technology & Innovation Project Award

Winner: Prism Earth

Food, Beverage and Fibre Product Award

Winner: T&G Global

Guardianship & Conservation Award (Kaitiakitanga Award)

Winner: Parininihi ki Waitotara

Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand’s Primary Industries Award

Winner: Jim van der Poel