“It’s so broad while trades are very specialised,” he told the awards dinner at Waitangi in late March.
“There’s always new jobs to do and something different to learn.”
The 20-year-old is second in charge on Peter and Christopher Thorpe’s Kerikeri farm milking 520 cows. His goal is farm ownership and he earned high praise from the judges, who could well see his potential to take his career to the next step.
He thanked his partner, Courtney, who he said “puts up with a lot from me”, as well as the other contestants who he described as “a good bunch”. Recognition also went to his parents and employers.
“It’s a privilege,” he said of his win.
He also won the Cervus Equipment Farming Knowledge Award.
Second place went to Wellsford farm assistant William Lumbus while Whangarei herd manager Lui Peti was third, saying the award meant a lot to him.
“Three years ago I was pretty much a townie but with hard work and dedication I’m here today.”
The Webb Ross McNab Kilpatrick Leadership Award went to Grace Woolnough of Tomarata who flew in from Canterbury where she’s studying a Bachelor of Agriculture and Commerce after just a six months’ taste of dairying. The DairyNZ Practical Skills Award went to Mike Jensen of Kerikeri.
Last year’s Northland Dairy Trainee, Jake Thomson, said he was proud of the new crop of entrants who had come forward.
“They have awesome potential and I hope they go for it,” he said.
“Three years ago I came into this room and didn’t know anyone. Now I see a lot of friends.”
