DairyNZ Board of Director nominations are now open

DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown has some sound advice for those interested in a board of director role.

Content brought to you by DairyNZ

Nominations for DairyNZ’s Board of Directors opened this week, and chair Tracy Brown has advice for anyone considering throwing their hat into the ring.

“Potential candidates would be those who are willing to really engage with fellow farmers,” Brown told The Country’s Jamie Mackay.

She said DairyNZ was looking for people who were interested in policy and willing to engage with it.

“[Someone] keen to help us deliver on our strategy and get good research outcomes and good solutions into farmers’ hands.”

Two farmer-director positions are open, with Brown and Chris Lewis retiring by rotation.

She said both were seeking re-election, but DairyNZ was “always keen for farmers to have a choice”.

Brown advised those considering the position to speak with someone who has experience.

“I think anybody interested in being a director should talk to another director and find out what’s involved.

“There is a bit of a time commitment, so you need to be in a position to be able to give some time back to the sector.”

Brown acknowledged her advice could potentially encourage her replacement, but she remained philosophical.

“It’s always good for directors to feel like they’ve earned the right to be there.”

There are also two roles open on the Directors’ Remuneration Committee.

This committee independently considers and recommends remuneration for directors each year.

Listen below:

More about the DairyNZ nominations process

All farmers paying a levy on milksolids to DairyNZ and who are members of DairyNZ Inc. are eligible to stand for election for the Board of Directors and the Directors’ Remuneration Committee positions.

Two DairyNZ levy payers must nominate candidates, and entries for all four positions must be received by the Returning Officer by noon on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.

If an election is confirmed, farmer voting will take place during October and early November, with the successful candidates announced at DairyNZ’s Annual Meeting on November 6 in Hamilton, Waikato.

For more information on the nomination process, visit dairynz.co.nz/elections

Also in today’s interview: Brown updates Mackay on DairyNZ’s submission on changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA), and encourages those interested to check out the Talking Dairy podcast with Principal Policy Advisor David Cooper.