Vernon takes Fieldays post

The first woman to chair the Waikato Regional Council has become New Zealand National Fieldays Society’s first female chair.

Jenni Vernon has held the post of vice president for the past three years. The President-Chair governs the society which runs Fieldays at Mystery Creek.

Vernon, who was elected unopposed at the society’s annual meeting, runs a dry stock unit with husband Gordon at Te Akatea. She has been a board member for 10 years and involved in farming and governance for 40.

She succeeds James Allen, retired after completing a third, a final year, as president.

“As a volunteer board member, James provided leadership during the incredibly uncertain times of Covid-19 and his tenure was met with a mixture of extreme challenges, but he navigated these while also running his own business,” Vernon said. “James can also celebrate many highlights and areas of growth in his time on the board and as chair of the board.”