New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards’ national communications manager, Sheryl Haitana.
A long-time rural reporter from the Bay of Plenty has slotted into the role of promoting the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards.
Sheryl Haitana, who has 20 years’ experience in the media – including a stint as editor of the Coast & Country News, was recently appointed national communications manager for the awards.
Growing up on a family farm at Pirongia, near Te Awamutu, Haitana said she developed a “niche knowledge” of the primary sector – especially dairy farming – which she transferred to journalism.
She worked at the former Dairyman publication before taking the helm at Coast & Country News from 2009 to 2011.
Then followed 14 years at NZ Dairy Exporter magazine, including most recently as editor.
For the past six years, Haitana has lived on a lifestyle block near Matatā in the Bay of Plenty with her husband Ian and their two daughters – River, 5, and Wairaka, 3.
The couple run sheep, beef and horses on the property.
Having written about the Dairy Industry Awards and its associated events for several years, Haitana said her new communications role presents a “very exciting opportunity”.
With entries opening last month, she said a tried-and-true formula had been retained for the 2026 awards programme.
This will see a continuation of two new awards introduced at this year’s edition – First Farm and Alumni of the Year – plus the ongoing Responsible Dairying Award.
Steve and Amy Gillies took out the 2025 Alumni of the Year Award, while fellow Waikato representatives Cameron and Margaret Bierre were equal winners of the First Farm Award, along with Reece and Natasha Cox from Central Plateau.
In the 2026 edition, the Fonterra and ASB First Farm Award will again be presented to three winners, who will receive up to $1 million of ASB Business Term Lending fixed at 1% for three years.
Haitana said the First Farm Award provided financial and strategic support to help the best in the industry successfully launch into farm ownership.
It is open to farmers who have previously entered the Share Farmer of the Year category and are planning to buy their first farm within two years.
The Alumni of the Year Award is also up for grabs again, which is a collaboration between ASB and NZDIA to reward NZDIA alumni who have made significant contributions to the programme and the industry.
The winner will also receive up to $1 million of ASB Business Term Lending fixed at 1% for three years.
Entrants must be former NZDIA award participants who may have progressed to farm ownership or have more than 50% equity in a farm business.
Established major categories include Share Farmer of the Year, Dairy Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year.
Thomas and Fiona Langford from Putaruru took out the Share Farmer title at this year’s national Dairy Industry Awards.
Bay of Plenty representative Thomas Lundman was runner-up in the Dairy Manager section, and Waikato’s Alex Diprose was third in the Dairy Trainee competition.
Dairy Industry Awards general manager Robin Congdon said the awards were another great reason to encourage young dairy farmers to enter the Dairy Trainee, Dairy Manager and Share Farmer categories, as the opportunities and the value as an alumni member continue to give back in the future.
“We are launching into our 37th year with vigour to drive and showcase best practice across the dairy sector.
“The awards are an essential vehicle to shine a light on the positive sustainability stories in the dairy sector, as well as showcasing pathway opportunities for future generations into farm succession,” he said.
Congdon said together with the Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award, the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards recognise leading farmers in the dairy sector, playing a key role to showcase excellence, identify role models and best practice, lifting the overall standard in the dairy sector.
“The prize package continues to heat up across all categories with LIC adding an impressive GeneMark Genomics prize this year for the national winner of the LIC Animal Wellbeing Recording and Productivity Award.”
The Ministry for Primary Industries is joining the fold as the newest all-region sponsor for the Awards.
It will present the Dairy Manager of the Year, MPI Sustainable Farming - Environment Award at each of the 11 regional award ceremonies.
Robin says the NZDIA also welcomes The Country and NZ Herald to the family as their new media partner this year, with a fantastic reach to communicate the success and role of the awards programme.
The awards cover 11 regions across the country.
Regional winners will then compete for the national title at a gala dinner in Rotorua on May 9.
Entries close on December 6.