Brothers Manoj Kumar and Sumit Kamboj from Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa were named the 2021 Share Farmers of the Year, Waikato’s Christopher Vila became the 2021 Dairy Manager of the Year and Ruth Connolly from Waikato was announced the 2021 Dairy Trainee of the Year.
Kumar and Kamboj shifted from northern India to New Zealand 10 years ago, while Vila moved to NZ from the Philippines 13 years ago.
There were also numerous other immigrants who were either regional winners or place-getters within their local competitions.
Kamboj thanked NZ for giving immigrants opportunities.
“If we look at New Zealand, it’s a multicultural country and it’s great to see New Zealand treating all of us the same and giving everyone an opportunity,” Kamboj said.
They said they were very grateful to their farm owners for giving them the sharemilking opportunity.
“I would really like to thank all of our friends and family for their support and I would also like to thank our family back home,” he said.
Kamboj said he prayed for the speedy recovery from covid-19 in India and looked forward to the day when everyone could be reunited with their families.
“We’re really looking forward to it,” he said.
Kumar and Kamboj are 50:50 sharemilkers on Andrew and Monika Arbuthnott, Geoff Arends and Ester Romp’s 285ha, 460-cow Eketahuna property.
Farm Manager of the Year winner Christopher Vila manages the 103.8ha JA BE Turnwald Family Trust farm at Ohaupo, Waikato, milking 341 cows.
Dairy Trainee of the Year winner Ruth Connolly is a farm assistant on Rukuhia Holdings Ltd’s 259.6ha property, also at Ohaupo, milking 800 cows.
Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard says the contribution to the success of the primary industry these newcomers made was sometimes overlooked in the current climate where the country debated at national level the role of migrant workers and border security.
“Manoj and Sumit, as well as Dairy Manager of the Year Christopher Vila, are typical of the hardworking migrants who come here for a better life, and who add immensely to their local communities, including training and attracting New Zealanders to dairy careers, Hoggard said.
“I think they, and others on the stage in Hamilton on Saturday, underline the quality and talent of migrants who choose our dairy sector in which to reach their dreams.
“Their achievements knock for six those who describe the work they do as low-skilled.”
Dairy Manager of the Year head judge Malcolm Scott says he was impressed by the diverse make-up of the finalists.
“There were Kiwis, Argentinians, Filipinos, male, female,” Scott said.
“Some of these immigrants in the dairy industry are still on work visas and have been waiting for some time to get their residency tidied up. Because of the current government inaction, it’s been held up and isn’t happening.
“These people are ready to take the next step in their careers, they have contracts ready to sign, but can’t move forward in their careers because they are still on work visas and are waiting and waiting for their residency to come through. It defies logic.”
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor acknowledged at the awards the staffing shortage challenges covid had caused.
“It’s not possible at this stage just to open the doors. You have done and everyone in New Zealand has done an amazing job to keep covid at bay. That investment can’t be put at risk in a rush to open our borders, we will be cautious,” O’Connor said.
“I appreciate the pressure that is out there across the industry. We have to try harder and if we are the best industry people should want to come and be part of it.”
