Judges For Agribusiness Person of the Year

Media Release
18 June 2009

Sir Colin Meads, John Banks, Annah Stretton and David Walker to decide Agribusiness Person of the Year

Federated Farmers is set to recognise the very best New Zealand agriculture has to offer by holding the first Cream of the Crop awards evening, as part of its 2009 One Event national conference.

“Federated Farmers will announce the New Zealand Agribusiness Person of the Year and Agricultural Personality of the Year, at the One Event national conference on 1 July,” said Don Nicolson, President of Federated Farmers.

“We’ve lined up a top-notch independent judging panel featuring rugby and farming legend, Sir Colin Meads, fashion designer and Veuve Clicquot Award recipient, Annah Stretton, Mayor of Auckland City, the Hon John Banks and Gen-i’s, David Walker.

“Agriculture is vital to our future but has not received the due credit it deserved until now. If you want to know who New Zealand’s most important exporters are, all you have to do is look at a farmers’ field.

“The agricultural sector is worth $25 billion in exports, accounting for 64 percent of everything we sell. With on and off farm contributions, it contributes between 18 and 20 percent of our country’s entire Gross Domestic Product.

“Yet the Agribusiness Person of the Year and Agricultural Personality of the Year will not be the only people recognised on 1 July. The winners of the major agricultural awards will also be honoured including:

• Ballance Farm Environment Awards
• The National Bank Young Farmer of the Year
• The Ahuwhenua Trophy – BNZ Maori Excellence in Farming Award
• Lincoln University Foundation South Island Farmer of the Year
• Rural Women New Zealand Enterprising Rural Woman Award
• New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Sharemilkers of the Year
• New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Farm Manager of the Year
• New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Dairy Trainee of the Year.

“This is a big first for the Federation and shows how keen we are to champion and recognise success,” Mr Nicolson concluded.

The first Federated Farmers Cream of the Crop awards is being held at the Rendezvous Hotel in Auckland on the evening of July 1 2009. All farmers and farmers at heart are invited to attend and more information can be obtained by calling 0800 327 646.

ENDS