'Top farmer' posthumously named Rural Hero
The late Mid Canterbury farmer Chris Allen was posthumously named Rural Hero in a touching moment at the Primary Industries New Zealand Awards.
Mr Allen, 62, died after he was electrocuted while fixing a garage door last December, leaving a rural community paying tribute to his leadership and negotiating skills as a Federated Farmers board member for eight years.
In other highlights Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty sharefarmer chairwoman Bridie Virbickas was presented with the Emerging Leader Award at the annual awards ceremony in Christchurch.
More than 400 farmers and industry people attended the function, part of the two-day Primary Industries New Zealand (PINZ) Summit.
Mr Allen's contribution to farming led supporters to say every farming family was in his debt for his years of championing rural causes.
Judges praised the collaborative nature, persistence and practicality of the Federated Farmers leader for his advocacy on freshwater, environmental and biodiversity issues.
"A top farmer in his own right, he led with humour and knowledge."
The judging panel described Ms Virbickas as making a strong mark in the dairy sector - managing 850 cows while leading beyond the farm gate.
As an elected sharefarmer leader, she supports fellow farmers in areas such as dispute resolution, and practical workshops.
She is also a founding trustee of AgRecovery, helping reduce farm waste nationwide, and leads on-farm restoration projects with schools and councils.
Southland farmer and NZ Pork chairman since 2019 Eric Roy was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to Primary Industries Award.
His production, leadership and political service to primary industries and rural communities spans nearly 60 years.
The six-term Member of Parliament has held roles with Federated Farmers, Pāmu, the Meat & Wool Board and other community and charity initiatives.
"Few can match his contribution - Eric Roy is a truly exceptional New Zealander," the judging panel said.
NZPork deputy chairman Jason Palmer said his decades of service to farming, rural communities and public life reflected a commitment to doing the right thing.
'He has provided invaluable leadership to NZPork during his time as chairman on our board, helping shape the future of sustainable pig farming in New Zealand. We're really pleased to see that contribution recognised at a national level.'
A Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) project to help farmers get the most out of their combine harvesters won the Technology Innovation Award.
Workshops and follow-up one-on-one sessions resulted in improvements in harvest efficiency, productivity, sustainability and profitability.
Farmers reported increases in yields of between 20% and 50%.
FAR technology manager Chris Smith said the workshops showed the importance of growers measuring and monitoring potential grain and seed losses and fine-tuning settings.
'Growers have only one opportunity to harvest a crop. Once it is gone out the back of the harvester it is too late.'
The Team and Collaboration Award went to Fonterra, LIC, Ballance and Ravensdown for an open data sharing ecosystem, saving farmers an estimated 250,000 hours so far in administration.
Dr Robyn Dyne won the Primary Industries Champion Award for her research in nitrate leaching and emissions.
Food, Beverage and Fibre Producer Award winners Chia Sisters combines fruit and ingredients such as kawakawa and chia seeds in their health food drinks and were singled out for their commitment to sustainability and innovation.
PacificVet and co-founder Dr Kent Keitemeyer won the Guardianship and Conservation/Kaitiakitanga Award.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
'Top farmer' posthumously named Rural Hero
The late Mid Canterbury farmer Chris Allen was posthumously named Rural Hero in a touching moment at the Primary Industries New Zealand Awards. Mr Allen, 62, died after he was electrocuted while fixing a garage door last December, leaving a rural community paying tribute to his leadership and negotiating skills as a Federated Farmers board member for eight years. In other highlights Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty sharefarmer chairwoman Bridie Virbickas was presented with the Emerging Leader Award at the annual awards ceremony in Christchurch. More than 400 farmers and industry people attended the function, part of the two-day Primary Industries New Zealand (PINZ) Summit. Mr Allen's contribution to farming led supporters to say every farming family was in his debt for his years of championing rural causes. Judges praised the collaborative nature, persistence and practicality of the Federated Farmers leader for his advocacy on freshwater, environmental and biodiversity issues. "A top farmer in his own right, he led with humour and knowledge." The judging panel described Ms Virbickas as making a strong mark in the dairy sector - managing 850 cows while leading beyond the farm gate. As an elected sharefarmer leader, she supports fellow farmers in areas such as dispute resolution, and practical workshops. She is also a founding trustee of AgRecovery, helping reduce farm waste nationwide, and leads on-farm restoration projects with schools and councils. Southland farmer and NZ Pork chairman since 2019 Eric Roy was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to Primary Industries Award. His production, leadership and political service to primary industries and rural communities spans nearly 60 years. The six-term Member of Parliament has held roles with Federated Farmers, Pāmu, the Meat & Wool Board and other community and charity initiatives. "Few can match his contribution - Eric Roy is a truly exceptional New Zealander," the judging panel said. NZPork deputy chairman Jason Palmer said his decades of service to farming, rural communities and public life reflected a commitment to doing the right thing. 'He has provided invaluable leadership to NZPork during his time as chairman on our board, helping shape the future of sustainable pig farming in New Zealand. We're really pleased to see that contribution recognised at a national level.' A Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) project to help farmers get the most out of their combine harvesters won the Technology Innovation Award. Workshops and follow-up one-on-one sessions resulted in improvements in harvest efficiency, productivity, sustainability and profitability. Farmers reported increases in yields of between 20% and 50%. FAR technology manager Chris Smith said the workshops showed the importance of growers measuring and monitoring potential grain and seed losses and fine-tuning settings. 'Growers have only one opportunity to harvest a crop. Once it is gone out the back of the harvester it is too late.' The Team and Collaboration Award went to Fonterra, LIC, Ballance and Ravensdown for an open data sharing ecosystem, saving farmers an estimated 250,000 hours so far in administration. Dr Robyn Dyne won the Primary Industries Champion Award for her research in nitrate leaching and emissions. Food, Beverage and Fibre Producer Award winners Chia Sisters combines fruit and ingredients such as kawakawa and chia seeds in their health food drinks and were singled out for their commitment to sustainability and innovation. PacificVet and co-founder Dr Kent Keitemeyer won the Guardianship and Conservation/Kaitiakitanga Award.
The Spinoff
04-06-2025
- The Spinoff
All the finalists in the 2025 NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults
Announcing all the books – and their authors, illustrators, translators and publishers – in the running for this year's New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. The winter months are an apt time to celebrate the creators of books that feed future creators of books. With long nights and days punctuated by weather, here's an opportunity to gather around the best Aotearoa has to offer and their promises of armchair adventure. There were 156 entries to the awards this year (slightly down on 2024's 176). The judging panels were assisted by 450 reviews submitted by school students from 51 schools around Aotearoa. Among this year's finalists are books that, according to convenor of judges Feana Tu'akoi, present 'big ideas from our past, present and possible dystopian futures are considered in absorbing and thoughtful ways, providing springboards for deeper discussion. Themes include identity, connection, mental health, our histories, traditional wisdom, indigenous languages, and the importance of being exactly who we are.' Before we dive into some analysis of each category, a recap of what they are and the monies attached. There are six categories: Picture Book, Junior Fiction, Young Adult Fiction, Non-Fiction, Illustration and te reo Māori. Winners are announced at a ceremony at Pipitea Marae in Wellington on August 13 and will each take home $8,500. Of those winners, one will be named the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year and will receive an extra $8,500. The Best First Book prize winner gets $2,500. The Bookhub Picture Book Award finalists Ten Nosey Weka by Kate Preece, illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (Ngāti Kahungunu, Kāi Tahu) (Bateman Books) Titiro Look by Gavin Bishop (Tainui, Ngāti Awa), translated by Darryn Joseph (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Rereahu) (Gecko Press, Lerner Publishing Group) You Can't Pat a Fish by Ruth Paul (Walker Books Australia) Picture books are an artistic collaboration. Words, text, design and format all have to work together perfectly. These finalists are all pros. Gavin Bishop, Ruth Paul, Juliette MacIver have all been here before, as have illustrators Lily Uivel and Isobel Joy Te Aho-White. Kate Preece is new to the awards with her first-of-a-kind counting book revolving around those curious, sneaky wee birds, the weka. In this interview with The Sapling, Preece explains how the book is tri-lingual and is the first to include Ta rē Moriori, the indigenous language of Rēkohu, where Preece now lives. Wright Family Foundation Esther Glen Junior Fiction Award finalists Brown Bird by Jane Arthur (Penguin Random House New Zealand) Detective Beans and the Case of the Missing Hat by Li Chen (Penguin Random House New Zealand) The Apprentice Witnesser by Bren MacDibble (Allen & Unwin) The Raven's Eye Runaways by Claire Mabey (Allen & Unwin) V iolet and the Velvets: The Case of the Missing Stuff by Rachael King, illustrated by Phoebe Morris (Allen & Unwin) This is all very … strange, for me. I love writing. I love writing novels for young readers because at heart I am still a young reader. It's extremely odd to be writing with this books editor hat on about this award with my author hat on. But the books editor is saying well done to the author and the author is chuffed (if not quite awkward). Mostly because of the company my first novel is keeping here. Back for the second year in a row is the unstoppable Rachael King (who was also a finalist in 2024 for The Grimmelings); I adored Jane Arthur's self-described 'quiet novel' about a character who now looms large in my mind. Bren MacDibble is an absolute powerhouse writer whose work is admirable for its voice, its world building and its control. And Li Chen's Detective Beans and the Case of the Missing Hat has stunning visual worldbuilding and a cute as leading cat. Note the mystery theme: definitely a trend I've noticed in international publishing. Young readers love intrigue just as much as anyone! Young Adult Fiction Award finalists Bear by Kiri Lightfoot, illustrated by Pippa Keel Situ (Allen & Unwin) Gracehopper by Mandy Hager (One Tree House) Migration by Steph Matuku (Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Mutunga) (Huia Publishers) The Mess of Our Lives by Mary-Anne Scott (One Tree House) The Paradise Generation by Sanna Thompson (umop apisdn press) Writing for young adults is a tall order. Young adults (otherwise known as teenagers) can be a tough crowd. What all of these books do is simply tell a story, build worlds, with teenage protagonists at the heart of them. Kiri Lightfoot's Bear is akin to acclaimed Patrick Ness novel, A Monster Calls, in that it uses a metaphoric beast to represent Jasper's rage, fear and consuming emotional undertow. Steph Matuku (no stranger to these awards) has written a brilliant dystopian sci-fi that reflects our present-day conflicts all too well. The Mess of Our Lives by Mary-Anne Scott is a story of overcoming an extremely challenging home life; while Mandy Hager (also no stranger to these awards) has written a story that centres on themes of identity and inclusion. First-time author Sanna Thompson is the wild card here: you can read an excerpt from The Paradise Generation over on Kete Books. Elsie Locke Award for Non-Fiction Finalists Black Magic by David Riley, illustrated by Munro Te Whata (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Makefu) (Reading Warrior) Dear Moko: Māori Wisdom for our Young Ones by Hinemoa Elder (Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kurī, Ngāi Takoto, Ngāpuhi nui tonu) (Penguin Random House New Zealand) Ruru: Night Hunter by Katie Furze, illustrated by Ned Barraud (Scholastic New Zealand) The Treaty of Waitangi / Te Tiriti o Waitangi by Ross Calman (Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Raukawa, Kāi Tahu) (Oratia Books) Tui Pea Luva by Mele Tonga Grant, illustrated by Luca Walton (Mila's Books) Huge names! These books are so crucial for education at home and at school: they condense complex subjects and present them in fluid, learnable ways via text, image and design. I love Ruru: Night Hunter for its immersive journey through the nightlife of our little owls. Ross Calman's The Treaty of Waitangi | Te Tiriti o Waitangi is extremely useful: highly illustrated, clearly written, an all-ages text, really. Mila's Books are the only all-Pasifika publishing house in the world and they consistently put out books made by and for Pasifika children and families. Tui Pea Luva is Grant's poetry collection which passes down the wisdom of Pasifika women. David Riley's Reading Warrior is a multi-faceted organisation that publishes books, creates projects in collaboration with communities, runs workshops and puts student writing into print. Black Magic continues Reading Warrior's focus on sporting heroics with the story of how we got our all black uniforms with a silver fern. Russell Clark Award for Illustration Alice and the Strange Bird by Isaac du Toit (Isaac du Toit) Hineraukatauri me Te Ara Pūoro, illustrated by Rehua Wilson (Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa), written by Elizabeth Gray (Ngāti Rēhia, Ngāti Uepōhatu, Tama Ūpoko ki te awa tipua, Ngāti Tūwharetoa anō hoki) (Huia Publishers) Poem for Ataahua, illustrated by Sarah Wilkins, written by Alistair Te Ariki Campbell (Reading Warrior) Sad Sushi, Anna Aldridge (Anna Aldridge) You Can't Pat a Fish by Ruth Paul (Walker Books Australia) It's always amazing to me how illustrators find angles, perspectives, and wordless narratives that bring a text to life. Sarah Wilkins' illustrations for Poem for Ataahua first caught my eye on Instagram: they're stunning, ethereal. Wilkins is longlisted for the World Illustration Awards 2025 for this same work (selected from 5000 entries from 81 countries). I also adore Ruth Paul's bold style: there's such comedy in the images that work so well with Paul's rollicking rhyme (hard to do but Paul does it so well). Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award Finalists A Ariā me te Atua o te Kūmara by Witi Ihimaera (Te Whānau a Kai, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Ngāti Porou), illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (Ngāti Kahungunu, Kāi Tahu), translated by Hēni Jacob (Ngāti Raukawa) (Penguin Random House New Zealand) *Hineraukatauri me Te Ara Pūoro by Elizabeth Gray (Ngāti Rēhia, Ngāti Uepōhatu, Tama Ūpoko ki te awa tipua, Ngāti Tūwharetoa anō hoki), illustrated by Rehua Wilson (Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa) (Huia Publishers) Ka mātoro a Whetū rāua ko Kohu i Rotorua by Hayley Elliott-Kernot, translated by Te Ingo Ngaia (Taranaki, Ngāruahine, Te Ātiawa, Waikato-Maniapoto, Ngāti Whakaue, Te Whānau-a-Karuai ) (Round Door Design) Ko ngā Whetū Kai o Matariki, ko Tupuānuku rāua ko Tupuārangi by Miriama Kamo (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga), illustrated by Zak Waipara (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Ruapani, Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongowhakaata), translated by Ariana Stevens (Poutini Ngāi Tahu) (Scholastic New Zealand) * Ngā Kupenga a Nanny Rina by Qiane Mataa-Sipu (Te Waiohua, Waikato, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Pikiao, Cook Islands), illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (Ngāti Kahungunu, Kāi Tahu) (Penguin Random House New Zealand) * Indicates a finalist book originally written in te reo Māori A specialist judging panel was enlisted to analyse the merits of these books either translated into te reo Māori or originally written in te reo Māori. Many familiar names here including Mirama Kamo and Zak Waipara (who were finalists in 2019 for Ngā Whetū Matariki i Whānakotia, translated by Ngaere Roberts); and Witi Ihimaera and Isobel Joy Te Aho-White who were finalists in 2023 with Te Kōkōrangi: Te Aranga o Matariki (translated by Hēni Jacob). NZSA Best First Book Award Finalists Brave Kāhu and the Pōrangi Magpie by Shelley Burne-Field (Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Rārua, Te Ātiawa, Sāmoa) (Allen & Unwin) Play Wild by Rachel Clare (Bateman Books) The Raven's Eye Runaways by Claire Mabey (Allen & Unwin) The Witch of Maketu and the Bleating Lambs by Anika Moa (Ngāpuhi, Te Aupōuri), illustrated by Rebecca ter Borg (Penguin Random House New Zealand) The Writing Desk by Di Morris (Bateman Books) I don't think many of us on this list ever expected to see our names alongside queen Anika Moa. I loved her book based on the character in her superbly creepy song. Shelley Burne-Field is a gorgeous writer (you can read about why she writes for children on The Spinoff). Di Morris' The Writing Desk is a stunning graphic account of the lives of colonial women; and Rachel Clare's Play Wild is a guide to having little adventures outside (reminiscent of Giselle Clarkson's The Observologist, though more geared towards using natural materials to aid imaginative play). Thanks to the English and bilingual judging panel: Convenor of judges Feana Tu'akoi, a Kirikiriroa-based writer; Don Long, a children's and educational publishing expert; Linda Jane Keegan, a Singaporean-Pākehā writer and reviewer; Stacy Gregg (Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Pukeko, Ngāti Maru Hauraki), recipient of the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year at the 2024 NZCYA awards; and Mero Rokx (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tai), an education specialist who is on the English-language and bilingual panel, as well as Te Kura Pounamu panel. And to the panel judging te reo Māori entries: Convenor Mat Tait (Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāti Kuia), a freelance artist, illustrator, writer and te reo Māori tutor based in the Motueka area; Justice-Manawanui Arahanga-Pryor (Ngāti Awa ki Rangitaiki, Ngāti Uenuku, Ngāti Rangi, Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki), a kaitakawaenga / library programming specialist; and Maxine Hemi (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne), a kaiako with over 30 years' experience teaching. And praise be for those who make the awards possible: Creative New Zealand, HELL Pizza, the Wright Family Foundation, LIANZA Te Rau Herenga o Aotearoa, Wellington City Council, BookHub presented by Booksellers Aotearoa New Zealand, New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa, the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, the Mātātuhi Foundation, and NielsenIQ BookData. The Awards are administered by the New Zealand Book Awards Trust Te Ohu Tiaki i Te Rau Hiringa.
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Scoop
Federated Farmers Launches ‘SOS: Save Our Sheep' Campaign
Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, SOS: Save Our Sheep, calling for urgent action to halt the collapse of New Zealand's sheep industry. "Once the backbone of New Zealand's economy, sheep are fast becoming an endangered species in this country," Federated Farmers meat & wool chair Toby Williams says. "Each year we're losing tens of thousands of hectares of productive farmland. Where sheep and lambs once grazed, pine trees are taking their place. "Sheep farming is at a real crossroads. That's why farmers are sending out an urgent SOS to save our sheep - and the Government need to answer that call before it's too late." In just one generation New Zealand has lost over two-thirds of our national flock, reducing from over 70 million sheep in 1982 to fewer than 25 million sheep today. Sheep numbers are rapidly plunging with almost a million sheep disappearing every year. "If that trend continues, we're not going to have any sheep left in our country within two decades. We'll just have hills plastered in nothing but pine trees," Williams says. "That would be a huge loss for our country - not just for our economy, but for our cultural identity and rural communities too." Williams says the number one driver of sheep farming's collapse is clear: carbon forestry. "New Zealand's climate change policies are badly broken, and it's gotten to the point where food production and the viability of our rural communities are being threatened. "The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is effectively subsidising pine trees to offset fossil fuel emissions, and that's pushing sheep farmers off the land, never to return. "We're the only country in the world that allows 100% carbon offsetting through forestry within our ETS. "Most other countries have recognised this as a significant risk and have quite rightly set policies to restrict it - so New Zealand is way out of step with international norms." Between 2017 and 2024, 260,000 hectares of sheep and beef country were swallowed up by pines. "That's not because forestry is necessarily a better use of the land, but because Government policy makes it more profitable to plant pine trees than to farm sheep," Williams says. "Climate policy is trumping food production. We're blindly sacrificing rural jobs, local processing infrastructure, and sustainable red meat exports at the altar of carbon offsetting. "Unfortunately, the Government aren't doing enough to stop the relentless march of pine trees across productive farmland - and if they don't act soon, it will be too late." Federated Farmers is now calling on the Government to urgently review the ETS and fix the rules to either limit or stop the offsetting of fossil fuel emissions with forestry. Williams says New Zealanders need to ask themselves a simple question: do we still value our sheep industry? "Because if the answer is yes, we need to act now, and act fast, before it's too late."
