2024 Award Recipients List

National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming & Growing 2024

National Ambassadors and recipients of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy 2024:

Hamish Guild and Simon Guild — High Peak Station, Canterbury

Ballance Farm Environment Awards 2024

The 2024 Ballance Farm Environment Awards season is complete. See below for Award Recipients and stories at Great Farming Stories.

East Coast Award Recipients — Wednesday 6 March

Simon & Josi Beamish and Hugo & Pip Beamish — Awapai

• East Coast Regional Supreme Winner 2024
• Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award
• Hill Labs Agri-Science AwardNZFET Innovation Award

Ben & Libby Tosswill — Birch Hill Station

• Norwood Farming Efficiency Award
• NZFET Climate Recognition Award
• East Coast Farming for the Future Award

Jeremy & Laura Watson — Monowai Station

• Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award
• NZFET Biodiversity Award

Bruce & Sally McGregor — Pakaututu

• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award

East Coast BFEA stories

Stories: East Coast Stories - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (nzfetrust.org.nz)

Media Release: Innovation and forward thinking sees multi-generational farming family take out the Regional Supreme Award at the East Coast Ballance Farm Environment Awards - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (nzfetrust.org.nz)

Canterbury Award Recipients — Thursday 7 March

The Guild and Dunbar Families — High Peak Station

• Canterbury Regional Supreme Winner 2024
• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award
• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award
• NZFET Biodiversity Award
• NZFET Climate Recognition Award
• Environment Canterbury Water Quality Award

Andrew and Peter Gilchrist — Gilchrist Brothers

• Hill Labs Agri-Science Award
• Norwood Farming Efficiency Award
• NZFET Innovation Award

John Wright and Richard Green — Wainono Dairy

• Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
• DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award

Sam & Jo Spencer-Bower — Claxby Estate

• Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award

Canterbury BFEA stories

Stories: Canterbury Stories - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (nzfetrust.org.nz)

Media Release: A diverse, multi-generational farming operation sees the Guild and Dunbar families of High Peak Station take out the Regional Supreme Award at the Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards. - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (nzfetrust.org.nz)

Bay of Plenty Award Recipients — Friday 8 March

Blair Linton, Linda Ellison and Robert Linton — Te Ranga Farms

• Bay of Plenty Regional Supreme Winner 2024
• Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award
• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award
• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award
• NZFET Biodiversity Award

Kiri Tapsell — Pūkenga Farms

• Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
• Norwood Farming Efficiency Award
• ZESPRI® Kiwifruit Orchard Award

Jonathon Boyle — Four Oaks Farm

• DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award
• Bay of Plenty Regional Council Farming for the Future Award

Mark Yortt and Greg Prince — Sunchaser Investments LP

• Hill Labs Agri-Science Award
• FMG Risk Management Award

Murray & Cecilia Winters and Chris & Karly Deed — Mangorewa Farms

• Bruce Fraser Memorial Award

Bay of Plenty BFEA stories

Stories: Bay of Plenty Stories - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (nzfetrust.org.nz)

Media release: Te Puke beef farmers Blair Linton, Linda Ellison and Robert Linton of Te Ranga Farms take out the Regional Supreme Award at the Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards. - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (nzfetrust.org.nz)

Horizons Award Recipients — Thursday 14 March

James & Debbie and Dave & Jan Stewart — Stewart Dairylands

• Horizons Regional Supreme Winner 2024
• Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award
• DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award
• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award
• NZFET Biodiversity Award
• NZFET Innovation Award
• NZFET Climate Recognition Award
• Margaret Matthews Trophy for Commitment to Sustainability

Peter & Ally Apthorp and Nathan Ebbett — Springview Agriculture

• Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
• Norwood Farming Efficiency Award

Mark Chrystall, Richard Chrystall and Rob Collier — Spring Farms

• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award
• Hill Labs Agri-Science Award

Hugh & Noelene Donald — Toa Toa Farming

• Horizons Regional Council Award for the Integration of Trees

Horizons BFEA stories

Stories: Horizons Stories - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (nzfetrust.org.nz)

Media Release: Entrepreneurial dairy farmers James & Debbie, and Dave & Jan Stewart of Stewart Dairylands take out the Regional Supreme Award at the Horizons Ballance Farm Environment Awards. - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (nzfetrust.org.nz)

Northland Award Recipients — Wednesday 20 March

Dean Candy — Oromahoe Trust

• Northland Regional Supreme Winner 2024
• Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award
• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award
• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award

Greg & Claire Collins — Emerald Hills

• DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award
• NZFET Climate Recognition Award

Laura & Adam Cullen — Ararua Hills Farm

• Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
• NZFET Innovation Award

Mark and Kevin Strawbridge — Northland Forestry Nursery

• Hill Labs Agri-Science Award
• Norwood Farming Efficiency Award

Philip & Julia Leaf — Brierly Hill

• NZFET Biodiversity Award
• Northland Regional Council Water Quality Enhancement Award

Northland BFEA stories

Stories: Northland Stories - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (nzfetrust.org.nz)

Media Release: A culture of pride, connection and community sees Oromahoe Trust, managed by Dean Candy, named the Regional Supreme Winner at the Northland Ballance Farm Environment Awards. - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (nzfetrust.org.nz)

Auckland Award Recipients — Thursday 21 March

Peter Rensen — Utopia Nurseries

• Auckland Regional Supreme Winner 2024
• Hill Labs Agri-Science Award
• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award
• NZFET Innovation Award

Sam Waugh — Donald’s Farm

• Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
• Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award
• DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award
• Norwood Farming Efficiency Award

Matt Wech and Ana Sevilla — Matt Wech Family Trust

• NZFET Biodiversity Award
• Auckland Council Water Quality Enhancement Award

Kathy & Craig Maxwell — Paparimu Valley Farm

• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award

Auckland BFEA stories

Stories: Auckland Stories - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (nzfetrust.org.nz)

Media Release: Innovation and diversification sees Peter Rensen of Utopia Nurseries take out the Regional Supreme Award at the Auckland Ballance Farm Environment Awards. - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (nzfetrust.org.nz)

Waikato Award Recipients — Wednesday 27 March

Alastair & Ann Reeves — Reeves Farms

• Waikato Regional Supreme Winner 2024
• Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award
• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award
• NZFET Biodiversity Award
• NZFET Climate Recognition Award

Colin & Dale Armer, Scott Armer and David Briscoe — Armer Group, Waihora Station

• Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
• Hill Labs Agri-Science Award
• Norwood Farming Efficiency Award
• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award

Brad Hancock — Hancock Farms

• DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award
• NZFET Innovation Award

Damien Watson, Chris Tidey and Robin Gerding — Renown Pāmu, Wairakei Pastoral

• Waikato Regional Council Water Protection Award
• Waikato River Authority Catchment Improvement Award

Waikato BFEA stories

Stories: Waikato Stories - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (nzfetrust.org.nz)

Media Release: Leadership and community-based action sees Alastair and Ann Reeves of Reeves Farms take out the Regional Supreme Award at the Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Awards. - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (nzfetrust.org.nz)

Greater Wellington Award Recipients — Wednesday 3 April

Andy & Gemma Phillips — Motumatai

• Greater Wellington Regional Supreme Winner 2024
• Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award
• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award
• NZFET Climate Recognition Award

Jason Christensen — Fernhill

• DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award
• Greater Wellington Regional Council Award

Harry, Tim and Kate Gibbs — Stanmore Farm

• Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
• Hill Labs Agri-Science Award
• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award

Michael Grace and Guy & Carolyn Parkinson — Terawhiti Station

• NZFET Biodiversity Award
• NZFET Innovation Award

Scott & Ana Gudsell — Ngahau Trust

• Norwood Farming Efficiency Award

Stan & Jenny Braaksma — Motuiti

• Greater Wellington BFEA Lifestyle Award

John & Nancy Keating — Domus Arborum

• Greater Wellington BFEA Lifestyle Highly Commended

Greater Wellington BFEA stories

Stories: Greater Wellington Stories - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (nzfetrust.org.nz)

Media Release: All-round excellence in sustainability earns Andy and Gemma Phillips of Motumatai the Regional Supreme Award at the Greater Wellington Ballance Farm Environment Awards. - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (nzfetrust.org.nz)

Southland Award Recipients — Thursday 11 April

The Miller Family — Roslyn Downs

• Southland Regional Supreme Winner 2024
• Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
• Hill Labs Agri-Science Award
• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award
• NZFET Innovation Award
• Environment Southland Water Quality & Biodiversity Award

Mike & Kirsty Bodle — Braintra Farms

• DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award
• NZFET Biodiversity Award
• NZFET Climate Recognition Award

James & Tanya Goodwin — Kelvin Grove

• Norwood Farming Efficiency Award

Tracy & Steve Henderson — Legendairies

• Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award

Philip & Katherine McCallum — Rockley Farms

• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award

Southland BFEA stories

Stories: Southland Stories - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (nzfetrust.org.nz)

Media Release: Financial and environmental stewardship sees the Miller family of Roslyn Downs take out the Regional Supreme Award at the Southland Ballance Farm Environment Awards. - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (nzfetrust.org.nz)

Otago Award Recipients — Friday 12 April

Angus Barr and Tara Dwyer — The Wandle - Lone Star Farms

• Otago Regional Supreme Winner 2024
• Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award
• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award
• NZFET Climate Recognition Award
• Otago Regional Council Quality Water Enhancement Award

Mike Casey and Euan White — Forest Lodge Orchard

• Norwood Farming Efficiency Award
• NZFET Innovation Award

Lyndon & Jade McNab — Lochindorb Run

• NZFET Biodiversity Award

Tim Paulin — 3 Kings Cherries

• Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award

Dave Sutton, Nick Hunter & Mark Naismith — Te Kano – Northburn Vineyard

• Hill Labs Agri-Science Award

Justin Pigou, Neill Casey & Matt Hamilton — Waitepeka, Pāmu Farms

• DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award

Otago BFEA stories

Stories: Otago Stories - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (nzfetrust.org.nz)

Media Release: Innovative and dedication sees Angus Barr and Tara Dwyer of The Wandle, Lone Star Farms take out the Regional Supreme Award at the Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards. - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (nzfetrust.org.nz)

Regional Supreme Winners 2024