DairyNZ board associate director: How farmers can step into governance

Applicants must be levy-paying dairy farmers able to commit about 30 days.

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DairyNZ is giving New Zealand farmers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on governance and leadership experience within the dairy sector.

It has opened applications for its sought-after associate director role on DairyNZ’s board.

The one-year position offers levy-paying farmers with a passion for dairy the chance to contribute to one of their industry-good bodies and participate in discussion and debate.

DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown said 15 dairy farmers had taken up the role since it was first introduced in 2013, and it had been a key stage in their governance development.

“The associate director role isn’t just a seat at the table – it’s a stepping stone to shaping the future of New Zealand’s dairy industry,“ she said.

“Supported by our eight DairyNZ board members, this role offers emerging leaders a rare chance to experience governance firsthand and contribute to sector-wide decisions.”

Brown said that farmer leaders who had taken on the role in the past had gone on to make valuable contributions to the sector in governance roles.

“Our current deputy chair, Cameron Henderson, was an associate director in 2020/21 and farmer-elected board member Richard McIntyre was an associate director in 2019.

“Others have gone on to governance roles in the sector.”

The incumbent associate director, Greg Collins, said the role was an excellent way to get governance experience in an industry-good setting.

“It has been a really positive learning experience for me,” he said.

“From a governance training perspective, it is very comprehensive.

“While it’s a non-voting role, the associate director is very involved in a lot of the decision-making process, and your voice is heard.”

Collins said the mentoring he received and support from other board members had been invaluable, increasing his governance knowledge and ability.

“I underestimated how extensive DairyNZ’s strategy is and the complexities of its workstreams,” he said.

“There’s an awful lot of behind-the-scenes work that farmers don’t really see, particularly in the political space well beyond the farm gate.

“I’d encourage all farmers who are eager to have more involvement in shaping the sector from a leadership position to apply for the role.”

How to apply

One associate director position is open to current levy-paying dairy farmers who demonstrate leadership within their community and/or the dairy sector.

It is a non-voting role, appointed for a one-year timeframe beginning June 1, 2026.

A commitment of approximately 30 days per annum and the ability to travel are required.

Applications close at 12 noon on Friday, February 20, 2025, with interviews to follow in March.

More details are available here.