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Federated Farmers has voted in South Canterbury farmer Colin Hurst as the organisation’s new national president.
Gisborne farmer Sandra Faulkner has been voted in as vice-president.
Mr Hurst, a mixed arable and dairy farmer in the Waimate area, said in a statement he was deeply honoured to take the reins of New Zealand's leading rural advocacy organisation.
"It’s a huge privilege to be entrusted with this role by my fellow farmers.
"Federated Farmers has such a proud 127-year history of standing up for rural New Zealand, and I’m committed to building on that legacy.
"Farmers are facing no shortage of challenges, but they’re also full of determination and optimism for the future.
"My job as president is to make sure their voices are heard loud and clear wherever decisions are being made — and that’s exactly what I intend to do."
Mr Hurst steps into the role after serving as Federated Farmers’ vice-president for the last three years.
He had also been the organisation’s spokesperson for freshwater, biodiversity, and fire and emergency issues.
Mr Hurst was quick to acknowledge the work of his predecessor Wayne Langford.
"I want to pay tribute to Wayne Langford for his leadership, energy, and unwavering commitment to farmers during his time as president.
"We’ve had six years on the board together and I love the guy. He’s been a phenomenal leader who has really transformed and modernised the organisation.
"Wayne has been such a strong and passionate advocate. I wish him all the best for whatever comes next. I have no doubt he will have a huge future," Mr Hurst said.
He said his focus would be on continuing to ensure farmers’ voices were heard clearly in national decision-making.
"Farmers are operating in an incredibly complex environment right now, from compliance pressures through to economic uncertainty.
"I’ll be working hard with a fantastic team of farming leaders from around the country — and that’s our strength. We are the trusted voice of grassroots farmers.
"Together we’ll be working to make sure farmers’ experiences and perspectives are front and centre in every discussion that affects them."
Mr Hurst has nearly 40 years as a hands-on arable and livestock farmer, and extensive experience within Federated Farmers at both a regional and national level.
He was the 2019 Arable Farmer of the Year, is a former director for the Foundation for Arable Research, and has dedicated countless hours as a volunteer to the South Canterbury Rural Support Trust and United Wheatgrowers.
He has also been a staunch advocate for farmers at the Seed Quality Management Authority and on the Fertiliser Quality Council.
Mr Hurst, his wife Janis and their family farm 700ha, which includes 450ha in arable crops such as wheat, grass seed, plantain and turnips; the rest is for grazing cattle.
Around 250ha is irrigated.
South Canterbury’s Greg Anderson was also voted in as an at-large board member. — Allied Media