On The Up: Oxford farmers win award for fostering rural-urban connections and supportive work culture

Oxford farming couple Geoff and Rochelle Spark with their dog Kaia.

NZME has launched On The Up – a national campaign showcasing amazing stories of inspiration, success, courage and possibilities. In this story, Oxford farmers Rochelle and Geoff Spark are recognised for bringing their community together.

An irrigation lake doubling as a community hub and a positive and inclusive work environment has helped Oxford farmers Rochelle and Geoff Spark win an award.

The couple recently won the Cooperative Spirit Award at Waimakariri Irrigation’s (WIL’s) 2025 Shareholder Excellence Awards for their ongoing efforts to foster positive connections between rural and urban residents.

They described feeling “humbled, surprised and chuffed” to receive it.

Geoff said he supported WIL’s efforts to recognise farmers for their work, which is often behind the scenes.

“We don’t do what we do for the purpose of recognition, however, it is good for our industry to acknowledge positive work,” he said.

“We appreciate what WIL is doing with starting up these awards for shareholders this year.”

In 2010, the couple designed their 500-metre-long irrigation lake to provide a reliable water supply for their farm and as a recreational space to share with the community.

Rochelle said the lake was originally designed as a square, but this was changed to a rectangle to make it more suitable for recreational pursuits.

“Our vision was to use it for more than just storage and to have the right design to make it multipurpose.”

Geoff, Rochelle and their children enjoy being active, so when Canterbury Triathlon Club’s race director John Newsom approached the family with the idea of hosting the Oxman Triathlon at their irrigation lake in 2019, they jumped at the opportunity.

Now in its seventh year, the Oxman Triathlon has grown to approximately 400 athletes, as word spread about the event.

In 2022, a multisport race was added to the event with around 50 competitors kayaking around the lake.

Geoff said having the Oxman at the beginning of summer provided a good practice race for the Coast to Coast, which was held a couple of months later.

He also enjoyed welcoming competitors from the city on to a working farm for the event, to bring people from different backgrounds closer together.

Competitors in the first Oxman Triathlon, held in 2019.

“I don’t believe in the rural-urban divide,” he said.

“Instead, I prefer to find opportunities to build stronger connections between farmers and people living in more urban areas.

“For me, it is about having the chance to share our space and the philosophy of ‘healthy farm, healthy food, healthy water’.”

Along with the Oxman Triathlon, Geoff and Rochelle host over 700 primary school students for the annual Canterbury Primary Schools Triathlon.

The Spark family in front of their irrigation lake after the first Oxman Triathlon in 2019.

The irrigation lake is also used for waka and dragon boat racing, and 15 years after work first started on the lake, Geoff and Rochelle are happy to be able to provide clean water for swimming and boating.

“John couldn’t believe how clean the water was when he came out to test it.

“He told us it is one of the cleanest bodies of water he has ever held an event at.”

The Cooperative Spirit Award also recognised Geoff and Rochelle’s efforts to ensure that staff are active participants in their farming business while providing opportunities for progression in the agricultural industry.

The couple aimed to create an inclusive, supportive culture where everyone could freely share their ideas.

“It’s all about creating the right environment to encourage the next generation to give farming a go.”

Work-life balance was also important.

“We want people to have enough free time to enjoy their hobbies and family time.”

The culture was also about accepting that sometimes things won’t always go as well as hoped, but to focus on continuous improvement.

“Every now and then, take the time to pause and acknowledge, and be grateful for what we have achieved together.

“It’s a team approach that encourages people to take the initiative and look ahead to the future.”