Passion for rural NZ key to Farmlands Board success

You don’t have to be perfect, but you should be passionate about contributing to the future success of rural New Zealand –that’s the message from Dr Warren Parker as Farmlands board elections approach.

Warren has brought his passion for and belief in the role the rural supplies co-op plays to his five and half years serving as a shareholderelected board member.

“I‘ve had the opportunity and privilege to contribute to the development of the co-op over this period and support the growth of Aotearoa’s agriculture and horticulture sectors,” says Warren.

“It’s time for me to hand the baton to a new director with fresh ideas on how Farmlands can continue to move forward. I hope to see some high calibre candidates, with diverse backgrounds and strong connections to our industry, put themselves forward – whether farm owners, managers or rural experts.”

Farmers and growers are wrestling with some significant economic, market and environmental challenges right now, adds Warren. This means directors with backgrounds in or knowledge of emergent sectors like horticulture, Māori agribusiness and integrated land use could bring value to the board. Equally, breadth of experience and different perspectives from our core pastoral farming sectors such as dairy, or sheep and beef cattle farming are always valuable.

It’s an exciting time to be part of the co-op – with its clear strategy of supporting on-farm profitability by being the strongest buying group it can be.

Warren says, “We’re being true to the foundations of why Farmlands was founded, as I personally understand well with my Hawke’s Bay-based father-in-law being an early member and enthusiastic supporter.

“Our challenge, like that for our forebears, is to continue to be more innovative and quicker to adapt than others in order to deliver on our role, as the world has changed and will continue to.”

Warren is leaving the co-op in a stronger position than he joined it –with some huge change programmes now in the rear-vision mirror. These include establishing the co-op’s nationwide IT infrastructure for the future, reshaping the organisational structure, updating the constitution, and setting a strong financial base – as demonstrated by last year’s shareholder distribution.

Farmlands is now well down the track of leveraging this hard work, with the benefits set to be realised in future years as it executes its enhanced procurement and supply chain management strategy – truly delivering what its customers and shareholders need in the most effective and efficient way.

“I have confidence in the future of Farmlands and, while there is always more to do, I’m pleased with where it’s now positioned. I’m also sure that there is a great opportunity for incoming directors to stamp their mark,” says Warren.

As a former educator, Warren would be pleased to see rural sector governance experts who have been part of some of the governance development programmes Farmlands is directly involved in putting themselves forward.

Farmlands works to grow potential future directors through programmes like “To The Core” and its own board Observer programme.

Warren is retiring from the Farmlands board to enjoy more of the good life in Rotorua and fulfil other governance roles. During his long career as a scientist, teacher, leader and adviser, he has been deeply involved in governance of technology-related ventures and in agri-education, all of which laid solid groundwork for his contribution to the Farmlands board.

Farmlands chair Rob Hewett says, “I’d like to personally thank Warren for all his insight and expertise that he has offered up to Farmlands over his period on the board. It’s been a pleasure to work with him on the Farmlands board in support of Kiwi farmers and growers.”

Shareholders wanting to learn more about becoming a Farmlands shareholder director can take a look here – www.farmlands.co.nz/ directorelections2023

You can request a nomination pack by calling the election helpline on 0800 666 047 or emailing iro@electionz.com

Nominations close at 5pm on Tuesday 6 June 2023. Voting packs will be sent by email once the nominees are confirmed.