Agribusiness Person of the Year to be named tonight
Wednesday 1 July 2009, 3:04PM
By Federated Farmers of New Zealand
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Tonight in Auckland, Federated Farmers will be announcing New Zealand’s first Agribusiness Person of the Year.
“Agribusiness is a $25 billion industry and accounts for between 18 to 20 percent of Gross Domestic Product,” says Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers President.
“Despite it being the largest and most important industry in New Zealand, those that contribute to the living standards of every New Zealander have not been recognised enough until tonight,” Mr Nicolson added.
Finalists for the 2009 Federated Farmers Agribusiness Person of the Year:
· Tom Henderson, Champion of the Environmental Award winning Opuha Dam
· Jeremy Moon, Managing Director, Icebreaker
· Craig Norgate, Chairman PGG Wrightson
· Dr. John Penno, Chief Executive Officer, Synlait
· Sam Robinson, Chairperson, AgResearch
· Ben Russell, General Manager for Rural New Zealand, Rabobank
“The Federated Farmers Agribusiness Person of the Year has been determined by an independent judging panel. It featured rugby and farming legend, Sir Colin Meads, fashion designer and Veuve Clicquot Award recipient, Annah Stretton, Mayor of Auckland City, the Hon John Banks and David Walker of Gen-i,” Mr Nicolson continued.
“In addition to Agribusiness Person of the Year, Federated Farmers will also announce its first Agricultural Personality of the Year. The evening will further recognise the other outstanding farming award winners from the past year.
“Agriculture is more than just animals and crops, but forms the very essence of what commercial New Zealand should be focused upon,” Mr Nicolson concluded.
Media are invited to attend and cover the event. Tickets can be arranged by speaking with either David Broome on 04 470 2160 (dbroome@fedfarm.org.nz) or Michael Hansen on 04 470 2162 (mhansen@fedfarm.org.nz).
The winners of the major agricultural awards to be honoured on 1 July include:
· The Ballance Farm Environment Awards
· The National Bank Young Farmer of the Year
· The Ahuwhenua Trophy – BNZ Maori Excellence in Farming Award
· Lincoln University Foundation South Island Farmer of the Year
· Rural Women New Zealand Enterprising Rural Woman Award
· New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Sharemilkers of the Year
· New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Farm Manager of the Year, and
· New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Dairy Trainee of the Year.