The 30 finalists representing 11 regions in the 2023 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards have been found.

“It was fantastic to attend the regional dinners and feel the excitement of the wins and see the journey each finalist has taken, both professionally and personally,” says Robin.

He observed women featured strongly in the dairy trainee category, with eight of the eleven regions won by females.

“Our finalists are farmers who are excited by the use of technology in the dairy industry and how it will benefit farming in the future.

“They are young, progressive farmers who aren’t afraid of change, are focused on sustainability and hold a deep respect for the environment along with a strong desire to protect it for future generations.”

“Our National finalists come from all walks of life and we have noticed this year that many are keen to be part of the solution regarding bobby calf numbers moving forward.”

The National winners will be announced at a black tie awards dinner at Cordis Hotel in Auckland on Saturday 13th May, after the finalists complete a final round of judging.

The National finalists will compete for a total prize pool worth around $200,000 and the honour of winning either the 2023 New Zealand Share Farmer of the Year, 2023 New Zealand Dairy Manager of the Year or the 2023 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the year title.

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors DeLaval, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda, LIC, Meridian, Ravensdown, and Trelleborg, along with industry partners DairyNZ, MediaWorks and Rural Training Solutions NZ.

2023 New Zealand Share Farmer of the Year finalists:

• Northland Matthew & Kortne Snedden, 50% sharemilkers, 550 cows Kerikeri
• Waikato Aliesha Broomfield, 50% herd-owning share milker, 245 cows, Te Aroha
• Bay of Plenty Cam & Jessica Lea, 50% sharemilkers, 270 & 300 cows, Opotiki
• Central Plateau Kevin & Nicole Oppert, contract milkers, 560 cows, Taupo
• Taranaki Hayden & Bridget Goble, 20% VOSM equity partners, 565 cows, New Plymouth
• Manawatū Hayden McDonald, 50% sharemilker, 345 cow, Palmerston North
• West Coast/Top of the South Ricky & Maria Johnson, 50% share milkers, 420 cows, Maruia
• Canterbury/North Otago Jonathon & Stacey Hoets, 20% equity partners, 760 cows, Hinds
• Southland/Otago Michael & Shahn Smith, 50% sharemilkers, 620 cows, Otautau

2023 New Zealand Dairy Manager of the Year Finalists

• Auckland/Hauraki Finja Philips, farm manager, 452 cows, Mangatawhiri
• Waikato Sam Dodd, farm manager, 800 cows, Te Awamutu
• Bay of Plenty Chihiro Hanyuda, farm manager, 379 cows, Galatea
• Central Plateau Mohammad Arifin, farm manager, 1055 cows, Mangakino
• Taranaki Blake Cameron, farm manager, 240 cows, Hawera
• Manawatu José Hamber, farm manager, 1100 cows, Cheltenham
• Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Alice Gysbertsen, 2IC, 1000 cows, Greytown
• West Coast/Top of the South Gurpreet Singh, farm manager, 1050 cows, Cape Foulwind
• Canterbury/North Otago Jack Symes, farm manager, 630 cows, Southbridge
• Southland/Otago Nicole Barber, farm manager, 800 cows, Tapanui

2023 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year Finalists

• Northland Bill Hamilton, farm assistant, 395 cow, Titoki
• Auckland/Hauraki Rita Jeffrey, 2IC, 309 cows, Patetonga
• Waikato Natasha Price, farm assistant/2IC, 280 cows, Kiwitahi
• Bay of Plenty Caleb Spence, 2IC, 255 cow, Galatea
• Central Plateau Jasmine Hall, farm assistant, 560 cows, Rerewhakaaitu
• Taranaki Jacinta Kete, assistant manager, 270 cows, Awatuna
• Manawatū Sarah Powell, farm assistant, 600 cows, Longburn
• Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Nicola Bosch, 2IC, 450 cows, West Pahiatua
• West Coast/Top of the South Ireland Cain, herd manager, 800 cows, Reefton
• Canterbury/North Otago Brayden Johnston, farm assistant, 1450 cows, Oxford
• Southland/Otago Ann-Kristin Loferski, herd manager, 960 cows, Heriot

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