primary industries new zealand summit & awards 2026

Corrigan is a 3^rd generation dairy farmer and Chairman of the breeding cooperative LIC. He farms in partnership with his wider family in Golden Bay on a 450ha dairy farm. He is a past Kellogg and Nuffield Scholar, former member of Fonterra’s Sustainability Advisory Panel, past Deputy Chair of DairyNZ Environment Leaders program and past Chair of the SIDE and SIDDC. His earlier career as a consulting officer and farm consultant has led to a life long interest in working to develop New Zealand’s dairy sector and he appreciates the opportunity to contribute to the success of the Primary Industry Awards in 2025.

Alan Emerson started his agricultural journalism career in 1973 working for television and national and commercial radio presenting rural programmes. In 2003 he purchased a farm in coastal Wairarapa. He served on the provincial executive of Federated Farmers for three years until writing commitments presented a potential conflict of interest. Since 2004 he has been a columnist for Farmers Weekly, (since its inception), never missing an edition over that time. He has edited and co-written three books on agriculture. In 2024 he was awarded the Ravensdown Agricultural Communicator of the Year.

Justin Courtney is the Chair of weather data provider Metris. Metris provides weather insights to the horticulture, viticulture and construction sectors, and has recently received international awards for its forecast services and its innovative in-orchard technology. Justin is also the founder of Dawn Chorus Consulting which provides advice to companies in the food and fibre sector. Justin’s 25-year career in agribusiness started with the Victorian Farmers Federation and has spanned work in the UK, EU and Middle Eastern markets. On returning to New Zealand he worked in the dairy industry before leading Silver Fern Farms communications and sustainability efforts for close to a decade.

Kazi Talaska is the General Manager of Onions New Zealand, working to support the growth and success of New Zealand’s onion and wider vegetable industries. Originally from Indonesia, Kazi has built her career in horticulture industry support and today works closely with growers, exporters, and government agencies to strengthen market access, grower research, and enhance the competitiveness of New Zealand’s onion exports. She also manages several pan-sector vegetable initiatives, including Te Ahikawariki – The Vegetable Industry Centre of Excellence (VICE), which is a proof-of-concept research farm for vegetable growers. Beyond her industry role, Kazi serves as Chair of the Food and Fibre Youth Network, supporting the next generation of leaders across the food and fibre sectors.

Steve Wilkins is a farmer based in Athol, Northern Southland. He manages a mixed cropping and livestock family farming business, growing a variety of  arable crops including wheat, barley, peas, beans, and grass seed. Additionally, the business is involved in finishing lambs, breeding cattle and deer, and providing dairy support. Steve holds several leadership roles in the agricultural sector. He is the Vice Chair for the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) and the Chair for the Otago/Southland Arable Research Group. He is also a Director of United Wheat Growers and a Trustee for theNew Zealand Rural Leadership Trust. As a Nuffield Scholar, Steve gained valuable insights into global food production systems through extensive international travel and developed a vast network across the globe. Steve attended the Advanced Agricultural Business Management Program at    the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester England and is a member of The Worshipful Company of Farmers. Steve is passionate about developing leadership within agriculture to address future challenges in the primary industries.

Richard and his wife Emma are herd-owning sharemilkers in the Horowhenua where they milk 830 cows across two farms, rear 700 calves, and lease a 180ha dry stock farm as they work their way towards farm ownership. They have two teenage children, Olivia and Matthew. Richard is a farmer elected director of DairyNZ and is a former Federated Farmers Dairy Chair and Board Member.

Karen Williams is the Chief Executive of Irrigation New Zealand, a role she commenced in February 2025. She leads a committed and high-performing team focused on ensuring New Zealand’s food and fibre sectors have reliable, long-term access to water. Her work spans advocating for new water storage solutions, supporting the sustainability of existing water users, and helping shape national conversations on freshwater management. Guided by Irrigation New Zealand’s vision of “water to nourish our community, environment and economy,” Karen champions the productive and sustainable use of water – balancing economic growth with positive outcomes for both communities and the environment. Karen also serves as a Trustee of the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, which oversees the nationwide Ballance Farm Environment Awards and promotes and celebrates excellence in environmental stewardship and enhancement on New Zealand farms and orchards. Before joining IrrigationNZ, Karen held senior roles across the rural sector, including National Rural Propositions Manager at FMG and National Vice President and Arable Industry Chairperson at Federated Farmers New Zealand. Karen and her husband Mick farm a 520-hectare irrigated property in the Wairarapa, specialising in mixed cropping and beef and lamb finishing. Their operation has been recognised for environmental leadership, winning the Wellington Regional Supreme Award in the 2013 Ballance Farm Environment Awards and receiving the Environmental and Sustainability Award at the 2022 New Zealand Arable Awards. Karen is a graduate and passionate advocate of the Agri-Women’s Development Trust Escalator Programme and was named Biosecurity Farmer of the Year in 2019 for her leadership during the pea weevil biosecurity incursion.

Dr Robyn Dynes (FNZIAHS) is a farming systems scientist with AgResearch based at Lincoln.  Her science in farming systems includes emissions to air and water and the current and future challenges facing our farming systems.  She has governance roles across arable, S+B and dairy sectors. Robyn spent her early years in Southland on a sheep and beef farm, followed by a Canterbury mixed cropping farm, she started her science career with CSIRO in Western Australia before returning to AgResearch.  Her passion is working with farmers to bring science to the questions that matter to farmers.

Dean and Cushla Williamson own AgriHQ, the Feilding-based home of their flagship national newspaper, Farmers Weekly. There are about 65 on the AgriHQ team, half of them full time and the rest freelance and part time. Every day they produce agribusiness news, insights and analysis through print, digital, podcasts, video, emailed newsletters and market reports. Dean also farms a 45ha sheep, beef and forestry block near Feilding. He began work life as a shearer, became a school teacher, travelled the world for three years, then started his career in rural media in 1992 as the livestock and stud stock manager for The New Zealand Farmer. When not publishing or farming, Dean is likely to be fishing, diving, hunting or sailing, most often with one or more of his and Cushla’s three adult sons.