Aka Aka’s Justin Ruygrok wins 2026 Northern FMG Young Farmer of the Year

Winner Justin Ruygrok (centre) competes in the practical day at the 2026 Northern FMG Young Farmer of the Year regional final.

Justin Ruygrok, from Aka Aka, was announced the winner of the Northern FMG Young Farmer of the Year on Saturday evening in Franklin.

He has gone back‑to‑back after also making it through to the grand final last year.

The FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest is a highlight in the rural calendar, showcasing the rising stars in New Zealand’s food and fibre sector.

“It’s an amazing competition with a history of over 50 years,” Ruygrok said.

Three age-based categories were featured in the competition.

Primary school pupils took part in AgriKids NZ, high school students competed for the FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year title, and eight finalists battled for the coveted Young Farmer of the Year crown.

At 29, Ruygrok knew time was of the essence, as entrants must be aged between 16 and 30.

“This is my last time I am able to compete, so I am going to give it my all.”

Ruygrok secured the top spot ahead of Daniel Richards (Kaipara Young Farmers) and Kieran McCahon (Whangārei Young Farmers), who finished third.

The competition featured five challenges, including Agri-Sports and a “buzzer-style” quiz.

Each task was crafted to expose how well contestants could apply their practical skills and technical knowledge while working against the clock.

Ruygrok was pleased with his practical day performance on Saturday.

“My time management was good, and I felt like I did the best I could.”

It was a great day at the Pukekohe A&P Society, the weather holding long enough for the competitors to finish the practical day and dive headfirst into the evening show.

“There were some tough moments, but I managed to get the job done,” Ruygrok said.

“I can’t say I’ve built a planter box out of a pallet before, but I was happy with how it looked in the end.

“I’ve had a tough start to the year and didn’t get as much prep as I would have liked going into the regional [final], but the network is there, and that helped me a lot”.

The AgriKids NZ competition saw New Zealand’s youngest farmers share their new-generation know-how across a series of modules, with the top teams then competing in the infamous race off.

The Northland Cowgirls (Devon Parry, Chloe Dickson and Stella Watts, from Glenbervie School) took out the AgriKids Northern title.

The 2026 Northern Young Farmer of the Year placegetters, Daniel Richards (left), second, winner Justin Ruygrok and Kieran McCahon, third.

Second place went to the Dairy Kings from Ngunguru School (Beau Parry, Tohu Harding and Jack Jeeves).

Half the Kids from Waiotira Primary (Lilla Anne Neumann, Margaret Ellen Neumann and Anita Lesley Neumann) came third.

Liam Bleakley and Pippa Meagher from Rodney College won the Junior Young Farmer of the Year title for Northern, securing themselves a spot at the grand final.

They will be joined by Cayden Taylor (Tuakau College) and Andrew Harris (St Peter’s).

Wyatt Parry (Whangarei Boys) and Georgie Palmer came third.

Along with Ruygrok, the top three AgriKids NZ and top two junior teams will now compete in July’s grand final in New Plymouth.

Ruygrok said he had a good support team.

“Now with the Regional done, I’ll be straight into the books studying up on my agriknowledge and practising any farming skills I wouldn’t normally encounter.

“I’ll be looking to lean on my networks going into the grand final.”

Northern is the last regional final before the main event in July, meaning Ruygrok will have to get cracking.

“I’ve also had the least amount of time to prepare for the grand final compared to my competitors, so I know I need to go big”.

- Supplied by NZ Young Farmers