Jack Taggart is the winner of the 2026 Aorangi FMG Young Farmer of the Year regional final.
A dairy farmer from Coldstream is now in the running for a national victory after being crowned Aorangi’s top young farmer.
Jack Taggart, 26, was announced as the winner of the Aorangi FMG Young Farmer of the Year on January 30, after spending the day competing in a series of challenges at the Woodbury Domain, near Geraldine.
“It’s definitely been a long time coming, and I can’t quite believe it just yet,” Taggart said.
The FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition boasts a strong track record of showcasing the rising stars in New Zealand’s food and fibre sector – igniting contestants’ competitive streak and setting the bar for excellence in agriculture.
Three age-based categories were featured in the competition.
Local primary school pupils tackled the AgriKidsNZ section, high school students competed for the FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year title, while eight finalists battled for the coveted Young Farmer of the Year crown.
Taggart clocked up the most points on the day with 292, defeating former grand finalist George Letham, who finished up with a score of 280.
James Wilson rounded out the final spot on the podium after a high-energy day of competing neck-and-neck.
The competition featured five challenges, including the always intense Agri-Sports section and a “buzzer-style” quiz that rewarded quick thinking.
Each task was crafted to expose how well contestants could apply their practical skills and technical knowledge while working against the clock.
The head-to-head and the Agri-Sports were where Wilson really shone, as he took them out in comfort and with a lot of speed.
The head-to-head featured the contestants making a birdhouse out of pallets, which Taggart breezed through with time to spare.
More than 300 spectators watched on in support.
The AgriKidsNZ 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.
Angus Ward, Tessa Croft and Hunter Clark (Beaconsfield Redbands) from Beaconsfield School took out first place and the Flynns of AIS Farmers (Flynn Lovett, Flynn Chudleigh and Flynn Tait) from Ashburton Intermediate placed second, just ahead of the Hinds Hustlers (Ebony Groves, James Sheppard and Sophie Sheppard) of Hinds School, who trailed close behind.
Meanwhile, Emma Kinzett and Meghan Nish from Mount Hutt College took out the title of Aorangi FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year, ahead of Niamh Hawe and Libby Jackson of Ashburton College.
Along with Taggart, the top AgriKidsNZ and FMG Junior teams will now compete in July’s grand final in New Plymouth.
New Zealand Young Farmers chief executive Cheyne Gillooly said it was great to see friends, family and Young Farmers club members supporting their fellow contestants, with season 58 turning over the highest attendance of entrants in recent years.
“FMG Young Farmer of the Year is a true celebration of agriculture and the people who drive it,” she said.
“From the youngest contestant just beginning, to the oldest who is giving it their last shot, the strength in which people show up for their community makes me so proud of what Young Farmers represents.”
FMG Young Farmer of the Year
1st: Jack Taggart, Hinds Young Farmers
2nd: George Letham, Hinds Young Farmers
3rd: James Wilson, Pendarves
Young Farmers Agri-Sports Challenge winner: Jack Taggart
Agri-Knowledge Challenge winner: George Campbell, Waimate Young Farmers
Agri-Skills Challenge winner: George Letham
Agri-Business Challenge winner: George Letham
FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year
1st: Emma Kinzett and Meghan Nish – Mount Hutt
2nd: Niamh Hawe and Libby Jackson – Ashburton College
AgriKidsNZ
1st: Angus Ward, Tessa Croft and Hunter Clark (Beaconsfield Redbands) – Beaconsfield School
2nd: Flynn Lovett, Flynn Chudleigh and Flynn Tait (AIS Farmers) – Ashburton Intermediate
3rd: Ebony Groves, James Sheppard, Sophie Sheppard (Hinds Hustlers) – Hinds School
– Copy supplied by New Zealand Young Farmers