The NZ Dairy Industry Awards celebrate the best of the dairy industry and this year the Co-op was well represented in what was a fierce competition.
Held at Coronet Peak, Queenstown on Saturday 11 May, the 2024 Dairy Industry Awards saw 470 people from across the dairy industry convene for a gala dinner.
The judges marvelled at the high calibre and diversity of the national finalists.
“The finalists may have had different backgrounds, ages, experiences, systems and attitudes however they are all passionate about the dairy industry and the future that they want to be part of.”
First time entrants Will Hinton and Kali Rangiawha from Manawatū were named the 2024 New Zealand Share Farmers of the Year, impressing the judges with the strength of their partnership. They also won two merit awards, the Ravensdown Sustainable Pasture Award and the Meridian Environmental Sustainability Award, and took home more than $55,000 in prizes.
“They are a very good team and one could pick up where the other left off. They are impressive with numbers and are extremely passionate about the dairy industry, what they’re doing and how they’re doing it. They are constantly looking for ways to make positive change, both on and off farm,” the judges said.
Northland’s Kieran McCahon became the 2024 New Zealand Dairy Manager of the Year and Kirwyn Ellis from Waikato was announced the 2024 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year.
James and Debbie Stewart from Dairylands in Manawatū were named the 2024 Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award recipients, taking home the John Wilson Memorial Trophy.
This award, which received more than 20 nominations across all regions this year, was created to recognise and celebrate dairy farmers who demonstrate leadership in their approach to sustainability and who are passionate about the four pillars of Responsible Dairying – people and community, finance, environment and animal welfare.
“We were left with one big question following our time with Debbie and James – what more could anyone do to demonstrate the notion of ‘responsible dairying’? Their passion, professionalism and leadership within the industry across all aspects of their business is beyond impressive and only surpassed by their dedication to giving back to their local community” says head panellist Michael Hide.
Paul and Sarah Koopal from Central Plateau won the CowManager Experience Award and was provided the cow monitoring system for three years.
Fonterra is a national sponsor of the NZ Dairy Industry Awards alongside CowManager, DeLaval, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Honda, LIC, Meridian, Ravensdown, and Trelleborg, and industry partners DairyNZ, MediaWorks and Rural Training Solutions NZ.