National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming & Growing 2025

National Ambassadors and recipients of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy 2025:

Awaiting announcement on Wednesday 18 June 2025 at the National Sustainability Showcase in Wellington

Ballance Farm Environment Awards 2025

The 2025 Ballance Farm Environment Awards season is complete. See below for Award Recipients and stories at Great Farming Stories.

Canterbury Award Recipients — Thursday 6 March

Stuart Neill — Pukatea Dairy Farms

• Canterbury Regional Supreme Winner 2025
• DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award
• Environment Canterbury Water Quality Award
• FMG Risk Management Award

Matt & Heidi Hart — Pye Group (Longlane Farm)

• Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
• Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award
• Hill Labs Agri-Science Award
• Norwood Farming Efficiency Award
• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award

Will Wilding — Te Mania Livestock

• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award
• NZFET Biodiversity Award
• NZFET Innovation Award

James & Samara Wright — Forest Creek Station

• NZFET Climate Recognition Award

Canterbury BFEA stories

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

Media Release: Holistic approach to sustainability sees Pukatea Dairy Farms take out the Regional Supreme Award at the Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards. - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust

Horizons Award Recipients — Thursday 13 March

John & Toos Cousins and Edmund, Guido and Julius Cousins — Hiamoe Farm

• Horizons Regional Supreme Winner 2025
• Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award
• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award
• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award
• NZFET Biodiversity Award
• Horizons Regional Council Award for the Integration of Trees

Michael Phillips, Oliver Sandbrook and Andrew Evans — Waka Dairies

• Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
• DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award
• Hill Labs Agri-Science Award
• Norwood Farming Efficiency Award
• NZFET Climate Recognition Award

Kate Kellick & Jill Kellick — Tokorangi Farm

• NZFET Innovation Award

Trevor & Liz Low — Low Family Trust

• Margaret Matthews Trophy for Commitment to Sustainability

Horizons BFEA stories

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

Media Release: A legacy of leadership and dedication to farming earns the Cousins family of Hiamoe Farm the Regional Supreme Award at the Horizons Ballance Farm Environment Awards. - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust

Bay of Plenty Award Recipients — Friday 14 March

Blair Dyer and Steve Atkinson — Kiwi Heights

• Bay of Plenty Regional Supreme Winner 2025
• Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
• Hill Labs Agri-Science Award
• Norwood Farming Efficiency Award
• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award
• ZESPRI Kiwifruit Orchard Award
• FMG Risk Management Award

Brent & Antonia Mountfort — Mountfort Puriri Farm

• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award
• NZFET Biodiversity Award
• Bay of Plenty Regional Council Farming for the Future Award

Canice O'Sullivan and Georgia Mischefski-Gray — Ywari Farms

• Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award
• NZFET Innovation Award

Brent Mountfort

• 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 kiwifruit growers Blair Dyer and Steve Atkinson take out the Regional Supreme Award at the Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards. - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust

Northland Award Recipients — Wednesday 19 March

Rob & Mandy Pye — Mangere Falls Farm

• Northland Regional Supreme Winner 2025
• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award
• Norwood Farming Efficiency Award
• Northland Regional Council Water Quality Enhancement Award

Maria Puig and Mauricio Castellano — Maulen Partnership & Northland College Farm

• Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
• Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award
• DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award
• Hill Labs Agri-Science Award

Board of Trustees and Matthew Payne — Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust

• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award
• NZFET Climate Recognition Award

Pete Bond and Kelly Hackett — Bond Farms

• NZFET Biodiversity Award

Northland BFEA stories

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

Media Release: An unwavering commitment to excellence sees Whangārei beef farmers take out the Regional Supreme Award at the Northland Ballance Farm Environment Awards. - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust

Auckland Award Recipients — Thursday 20 March

Peter & Michelle Pan — Healthy and Fresh

• Auckland Regional Supreme Winner 2025
• Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil and Nutrient Management Award
• Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award
• Hill Labs Agri-Science Award
• Norwood Farming Efficiency Award
• NZFET Innovation Award

Troy & Karin Everson — Hermanus

• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award
• DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award
• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award

James & Stephanie Kellow — Lighthouse Station Farm

• NZFET Biodiversity Award

Deb Crump — ASB MAGS Farm

• NZFET Climate Recognition Award

Chris & Greta Harris — Chritas Wood

• Auckland Council Water Quality Enhancement Award

Auckland BFEA stories

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

Media Release: An innovative, data-driven approach sees South Auckland growers take out the Regional Supreme Award at the Auckland Ballance Farm Environment Awards. - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust

East Coast Award Recipients — Tuesday 25 March

Simon & Lou White — Ludlow Farms

• East Coast Regional Supreme Winner 2025
• Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
• Hill Labs Agri-Science Award
• Norwood Farming Efficiency Award
• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award
• NZFET Innovation Award

Leith and Tracy Ashworth — Ash Ridge Winery

• Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award
• East Coast Farming for the Future Award

Tom & Anna Tennent

• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award
• NZFET Biodiversity Award

East Coast BFEA stories

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

Media Release: A commitment to continuous improvement earns Simon and Lou White of Ludlow Farms the Regional Supreme Award at the East Coast Ballance Farm Environment Awards. - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust

Greater Wellington Award Recipients — Wednesday 26 March

Mark and Susannah Guscott — Glen Eden

• Greater Wellington Regional Supreme Winner 2025
• Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
• Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award
• Hill Labs Agri-Science Award
• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award
• Greater Wellington Regional Council Award

Shane and Lynnette McManaway and Nico Butler — Ongaha

• Norwood Farming Efficiency Award
• NZFET Innovation Award
• NZFET Climate Recognition Award

Monte and Anna Warren — Ruawaka Hills

• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award

Diane Strugnell

• NZFET Biodiversity Award

Greater Wellington BFEA stories

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

Media Release: Diverse Ponatahi farming operation takes out the Regional Supreme Award at the Greater Wellington Ballance Farm Environment Awards. - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust

Waikato Award Recipients — Wednesday 2 April

Tor Pedersen — Broomore Farm

• Waikato Regional Supreme Winner 2025
• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award
• DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award
• NZFET Biodiversity Award
• Waikato Regional Council Water Protection Award

Roger & Judith Hunt

• Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
• Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award
• Hill Labs Agri-Science Award

Tim Orlando-Reep — Manawanui Stock Trading Co

• Norwood Farming Efficiency Award
• Waikato River Authority Catchment Improvement Award

Robert Teal — Bruntwood Gardens

• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award
• NZFET Innovation Award

Waikato BFEA stories

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

Media Release: Young Raglan dairy farmer named Regional Supreme Winner at the Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Awards. - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust

Taranaki Award Recipients — Thursday 3 April

Brendan Attrill — Caiseal Trust

• Taranaki Regional Supreme Winner 2025
• Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
• Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award
• DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award
• Norwood Farming Efficiency Award
• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award
• Taranaki Regional Council Sustainability Award

Craig & Mary Dorn

• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award

John & Donna McCarty — McCarty Farms

• Hill Labs Agri-Science Award

Mathew & Vanessa Vujcich — Nine Streams Farm

• NZFET Biodiversity Award

Taranaki BFEA stories

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

Media Release: Balancing productivity and sustainability sees Huinga dairy farmer named Regional Supreme Winner at the Taranaki Ballance Farm Environment Awards. - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust

Otago Award Recipients — Wednesday 9 April

Tracy & Andrew Paterson — Matakanui Station

• Otago Regional Supreme Winner 2025
• Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
• Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award
• Hill Labs Agri-Science Award
• Norwood Farming Efficiency Award
• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award
• NZFET Innovation Award

Francois & Shelley Tillard — Clydesdale Dairy

• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award
• DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award
• Otago Regional Council Water Enhancement Award

Matt Lawlor and Teresa O'Riordan — Caldervan

• NZFET Biodiversity Award

Otago BFEA stories

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

Media Release: Environmental stewardship and community involvement sees Matakanui Station take out the Regional Supreme Award at the Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards. - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust

Southland Award Recipients — Thursday 10 April

Cam Nelson — Nelson Farming Company

• Southland Regional Supreme Winner 2025
• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award
• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award
• NZFET Biodiversity Award

Blair & Jody Drysdale — Hopefield 

• Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
• Hill Labs Agri-Science Award
• Environment Southland Water Quality & Biodiversity Award

Clarke & Megan Horrell — Huntly Farm

• Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award
• Norwood Farming Efficiency Award

Southland BFEA stories

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

Media Release: Strong vision and environmental values sees Lochiel deer farmer take out the Regional Supreme Award at the Southland Ballance Farm Environment Awards. - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust

Regional Supreme Winners 2025