Our Mission

While we will always celebrate our heritage and community spirit, we are also in a unique position of being agricultural leaders. We work with agricultural and political leaders, break down the rural/urban divide and help them progress agriculture in innovative and socially conscious ways.

We are highly connected across the agricultural sector due to:

• Location in New Zealand’s largest food & fibre region.
• Expertise and skillset held by board and general committee.
• Wide diversity of knowledge and appreciation in many agricultural & pastoral areas.
• Focused on the future of the sector and affecting change - not just showing.
• Highlight new innovations and regulatory, compliance changes to our audience.

We exist to:

• Progress agriculture across the region.
• Create a platform to tell our stories.
• Advocate industry best practice.
• Be authentic.
• Foster engagement and collaboration between our members to grow professional relationships.
• Share our history and provide succession advice.

We do this by:

• Showcasing local produce.
• Creating safe and trusted spaces for collaboration and connection.
• Growing youth in agriculture.
• Embracing diverse and cultural agricultural relationships and farming practices.
• Being trusted advisors to our rural communities.
• Supporting the sector including pastoral care addressing mental health and encouraging conversation.
• Bringing the “Country to Town” positively by connecting urban and rural communities.

We’re on a mission to:
Be number one in New Zealand at encouraging, promoting, and celebrating excellence and innovation in sustainable agriculture.

So that:
We farm to grow; Environmentally, strong rural and business relationships, youth leadership and sustainable farming, unlocking the potential of nature to improve quality of life.

At the heart of everything we do is:
Rural Leadership.