Loss of a champion John Luxton’s death a big loss to industry

Remembering a dairy legend

By Sonita Chandar

The dairy industry has lost a champion, leader and advocate with the death of former National Cabinet minister John Luxton after a long illness. He was 75 years old.

Born and raised in Waikato, he was the son of farmer and MP Jack Luxton and the fifth generation to farm.

When Dairy Farmer spoke to him several years ago, he said his dad never required him or his siblings to work on the farm, but he remembered going out to help.

“I was probably about six or seven and used to help milk and then later drive tractors during hay-making,” he said.

“My parents were adamant that we all receive a good education so we used to catch the bus to Hamilton every day.”

He attended Hamilton Boys High School, but said he “didn’t have a clue” about which career to choose.

“There was a bit of peer pressure as everyone was heading off to university. I decided to join them. I was the first in our family to attend university,” he said.

He enrolled in an agricultural science degree at Massey University then gained sponsorship from the Agriculture Department and ended up working for it as one of its first dairy advisory officers.

Within a year, he “got itchy feet” about going farming and bought his first farm in 1971 and took over the following year milking 200 cows on the 53ha block.

He later bought two neighbouring properties and combined the three and over the years increased his farming portfolio and had interests in both the North and South Islands.

In 1975 the family moved to Tanzania for two years where he worked as a dairy consultant.

He became a Tatua board member in 1978, but resigned two years later after he was head-hunted by the West Germany Aid Agency to lead their small-holdings dairy project in Malaysia.

“The job was supposed to be for two years, so we shifted the family to Kuala Lumpur. Two years turned into four, but we really enjoyed our time there,” he said.

Returning in 1984, he was re-elected to the Tatua board and was appointed chairman.

In 1987, his father Jack stood down from politics after 21 years of holding the Matamata seat, so he stood and was elected to the same seat.

In 1990, the National Party won the election and he was appointed to the Cabinet. From 1990 to 1999, his ministerial roles included housing, energy, police, Māori affairs, commerce, industry, as well as all of the agricultural portfolios. He was also an associate minister of education and of overseas trade.

He retired from politics in 2002 after a long political career, during which the dairy industry came under intense scrutiny. “I had been amongst people who were suggesting the dairy industry needed deregulation, which was not particularly popular,” he said.

“The idea was to ensure competition for milk at the farm gate. The Helen Clark-led Labour government was keen to continue and in 2001 the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act was passed.”

In the 2003 Queen’s Birthday Honours, he was appointed a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order for public services.

It was around this time that he and colleague Wyatt Creech founded Open Country Dairies, which they sold in 2005. They then founded the boutique Kaimai Cheese Company, which was hit by the Global Financial Crisis and eventually sold it.

During his long involvement with the industry he was involved with Hauraki iwi-owned Pouarua Farm Partnership, was the co-chairman of the Waikato River Authority and chairman of the Asia New Zealand Foundation.

He was also the chairman of DairyNZ and stepped down in 2015 after a decade of service. His achievements during his time as chairman include launching a new strategy for sustainable dairy farming and a new water accord in 2013, championing investment in research and development to improve on-farm innovation and the competitiveness of the NZ dairy industry, advocating for education and the ongoing investment in people to improve the skills and capability within the industry.

He was also key in establishing DairyNZ’s role in policy and advisory, establishing the Waikato Dairy Leaders Group, chairing the industry leader’s forum and leading a record dairy levy vote in 2014.

In 2016 he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement award by the NZ Dairy Industry Awards Trust in recognition of his long service to the industry and wider agriculture sector. He also received the 2016 Lincoln University honorary degree, Doctor of Science, honoris causa, and is an AC Cameron award winner. In 2017 he was made a Companion of the NZ Order of Merit, for services to the dairy industry, in the New Year Honours.

He also held many other roles including sitting on the boards of the Royal NZ Ballet Company and Landcare Research.

He is survived by his wife and children. n

Dairy champion and leader John Luxton had a long association with the industry. His contribution will be long-lasting.

Nominate your rural leader

The achievement and growth of rural women is celebrated every year through the Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) Regional Leader award.

Nominations are now open for the award, which celebrates the work of the organisation’s volunteers at grassroots and the impact they have in their local rural and dairying communities.

Regional leaders are at the core of the organisation and recognising and supporting their efforts is important to the morale of the team and the longevity of the network.

Supported by rural insurance company FMG, the award highlights the passion for people within the network’s volunteer regional leaders, of which there are more than 80.

Northland sharemilker Donna Griggs was announced as the 2021 DWN Regional Leader of the Year and says winning the title meant an opportunity to grow in leadership skills and to bring that knowledge forward into the network’s community, her local farming community and her and husband Steven’s business.

DWN chief executive Jules Benton is encouraging members to celebrate their regional leaders who actively demonstrate leadership and the values of DWN with a submission.

“As an organisation we are led from the ground up. Our volunteers are our connection to dairy farmers all over the country; they work hard behind the scenes to deliver opportunities for connection and upskilling that fit with the needs of our members,” Benton says.

“They are often points of contact and connection within their areas and are heavily involved in other groups and initiatives. The effort they put in for both DWN and their own networks deserves to be acknowledged, as well as their personal growth and development.”

“We are pleased that FMG – who are known for supporting the wellbeing and achievement of New Zealand farmers and rural communities – are recognising the value of this award by sponsoring it for a second year.”

FMG chief client officer Andrea Brunner says organisations such as the DWN play a critical role in keeping rural communities connected and create opportunities for knowledge sharing and personal development.

“Feeling a part of your industry and community and growing as a rural professional are important and FMG wants to see our rural communities thrive. That’s why we support the Regional Leader of the Year award. We wish all nominees the best of luck,” Brunner says.

Nominations will close in March next year, after which finalists will be put before a judging panel of representatives from DWN and FMG.

The Regional Leader of the Year recipient will be announced at a gala dinner during the 2022 DWN conference in Invercargill and will receive a registration to the Dare to Lead™ Programme facilitated by Kaila Colbin and Boma NZ, as well as travel costs and accommodation in the location of the programme. n

Dairy Women’s Network 2021 Regional Leader of the Year Northland dairy farmer Donna Griggs says she saw the award as an opportunity to grow her leadership skills. Nominations are now open for the 2022 award.

“The effort they put in for both DWN and their own networks deserves to be acknowledged, as well as their personal growth and development.” Jules Benton