A woman is at the helm of the NZ Young Farmers Board for the first time in 12 years.
Ash-Leigh Campbell was elected chair of the eight-member board yesterday, replacing Jason Te Brake.
The 27-year-old is a technical farm manager with Ngāi Tahu and helps oversee the management of eight
dairy farms.
"I feel extremely privileged to be elected chair. I'm really looking forward to the role," said Ash-Leigh.
"NZ Young Farmers plays a vital part in connecting communities and helping to grow future leaders."
The last woman to chair the NZ Young Farmers Board was Hilary Phillips. She filled the position between 2004 and 2006.
"Hilary was hugely supportive when I served as chair of the Tasman Region," she said.
"She has watched me grow and develop and I think will be proud to see another woman follow in her footsteps."
Ash-Leigh was elected to the board in July and is a previous Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award finalist.
The Dunsandel Young Farmers member has a Diploma in Agriculture and a Diploma in Farm Management from Lincoln University.
She's also completing a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture).
"A key part of my career development has been studying while working in the industry," she said.
"I really enjoy the correlation between learning in a classroom and putting that knowledge into practice."
Ash-Leigh is one of four women on the eight-member board.
Wellington-based airline pilot Hannah Cameron, 28, was elected vice-chair.
The pair is joined by Jason Te Brake, Hamish Best, Rebecca Brown, Sharon Angus, Sam Robinson and Renata Hakiwai. The board's first major task is to appoint a new chief executive to replace Terry Copeland.
"We are entering the final stages of interviews for the chief executive's position," said Ash-Leigh.
Trevor McIntrye will continue as the acting chief executive of NZ Young Farmers until the position is filled.
NZ Young Farmers has a network of almost 80 clubs, runs the iconic FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest and works in schools to get students excited about career opportunities in the primary industries.
