Te Kuiti farmer appointed to Deer Industry New Zealand boar

Te Kuiti farmer appointed to Deer Industry New Zealand board

William Oliver of Te Kuiti has been appointed to the Deer Industry NZ board for a three-year term.

One of three candidates for a vacant producer position on the eight-strong board, he was appointed yesterday following interviews by the Deer Farmers Association’s Selection and Appointments Panel.

Panel chair Paddy Boyd says a “robust” interview process highlighted the skills of the candidates.

“It is very reassuring in terms of governance and succession to have people of William’s calibre standing for the board, especially at a time when Deer Industry NZ has major initiatives underway to build deer farm profitability and to halt the decline in the national herd,” he said.

Forty-eight year old William, wife Karen and family operate two separate farming businesses in the King Country. These run 16,000 stock units – made up of deer, sheep, cattle – as well as cropping and forestry. In 2014 the family won the inaugural Silver Fern Farms Plate to Pasture Awards, which recognised their vision, sustainable best practice and production of premium quality venison.

The Olivers operate their businesses with a governance board and in recent years William has been involved in a number of governance skills development programmes.

He says that playing a governance role in the deer industry reflects his commitment to the industry and confidence in the future of venison production and strengthening returns.

The Deer Industry NZ board is made up of eight members, four appointed by producers through the NZDFA selection and appointment panel and four appointed by processor/exporters. Mr Oliver replaces Wanaka farmer Jerry Bell who retired from the board at the end of his term.

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