Rachel and Stefan Grobecker are the 2026 Bay of Plenty Share Farmers of the Year.
The winners of the 2026 Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards were announced at the annual awards dinner held at the Awakeri Events Centre near Edgecumbe on Tuesday evening.
The 2026 Bay of Plenty Share Farmers of the Year are Stefan and Rachel Grobecker, with Reno Moses winning the title of Dairy Manager of the Year and the Dairy Trainee title going to Breiton Tuwairua.
The Grobeckers followed friends into the dairy industry after seeing the mix of science and business.
The couple are 50/50 sharemilkers for Wendy Wilson and Sue Hughes on Mary Allen Farm at Waimana, milking 255 cows on 119ha.
Stefan studied civil engineering at university but transitioned into dairy farming, advancing from farm assistant to contract milker, then sharemilking with partner Rachel.
“It was a challenge to understand a totally new industry,” he said.
“Moving from engineering to farming, construction management is about solving a few really big problems to achieve success in a project – farming is about getting the little things right every day.”
Like many farming businesses, the couple have had both highs and some tough learning moments in recent years.
Those experiences have strengthened their focus on good systems, daily discipline, and continuous improvement.
They’re committed to refining their processes and becoming the best farmers they can be.
Stefan and Rachel took home an $11,350 prize package.
As the 2026 Bay of Plenty Dairy Manager of the Year, Reno Moses won $9525 and four merit awards on Tuesday evening.
The 28-year-old is a farm manager for Scott and Rebecca O’Brien on Rory and Susan Gordon’s 260ha farm at Galatea, milking 700 cows.
Moses entered the Dairy Industry Awards again this year because it pushed him outside of his comfort zone to keep improving and gain more knowledge.
He manages the farm without the boss living on-farm, so he has had to learn to manage staff and problem-solve when things go wrong.
Judges said Moses “showed exceptional leadership who drives team performance and farm success”.
He said he was passionate about striking a good balance between work and being home with his wife and two young children.
“Spending quality time with my family and finding time for hunting, fishing and rugby is very important – I’ve seen what stress can do to people and I don’t want it to have the same effect on me.”
His goal is to build enough equity to go into contract milking in the next three years.
Breiton Tuwairua, the 2026 Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee winner, won $7100 in prizes and one merit ward.
Tuwairua is 2IC for Sam and Kate Moore on Tuhōe Te Uru Taumatua farm, milking 470 cows on 140ha.
“What I love about farming is being outside every day and beating everyone to the good sunrises,” he said.
Judges said, “Breiton has the X-factor and the depth of his Wairua [his spirit] shone through in his responses”.
The 21-year-old is passionate about farming a sustainable operation that works with the land, not just on it.
“The Tauranga River that is next to our farm is what hydrated and supplied my ancestors with water to sustain their crops.
“This river is part of who I am.
“I’m excited to see my progress as the years go by and hope to achieve my personal farm goals of working towards a more sustainable dairy system.”
Further details on the Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards winners and upcoming Field Day can be found here.
Bay of Plenty Share Farmer of the Year
Winner: Stefan and Rachel Grobecker
Runner-up: George King and Hannah Lukins
Third: Renee and Benjamin Howard
2026 Bay of Plenty Dairy Manager of the Year
Winner: Reno Moses
Runner-up: Satwinder Singh
Third: Joshua Purdie
2026 Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee of the Year
Winner: Breiton Tuwairua
Runner up: Adam Manners
Third: Conor O’Toole
Share Farmer Merit Awards
Dairy Manager Merit Awards
Dairy Trainee Merit Awards
– Supplied by Dairy Industry Awards