With 65 nominations, up from just over 40 last year, judges have had the tough task of selecting finalists in seven categories.
Winners will be announced at the PINZ Summit in Christchurch on July 6.
“With a whole set of gnarly challenges in front of us – from global warming, biosecurity threats, cost pressures and demand for more community water storage, to name a few – robust science, entrepreneurial spirit and cross-agency teamwork is needed,” Copeland said.
“The PINZ Awards acknowledge and honour the teams, individuals and businesses striving to make a difference in the primary industries sphere, and by doing so boost the employment prospects and standard of living of all New Zealanders.”
Finalists in the 2021 PINZ Awards are:
Outstanding Contribution
Malcolm Bailey – Dairy Companies Association of NZ
Tony Cleland – FarmRight
Richard Lucas – Lincoln University
Industry Champion Award
Frances Clement – Policy & Issues Manager, NZ Pork
Tam Jex-Blake – Farmer, Mangapoike
Kerry Allen – HOD Agribusiness, St Paul’s Collegiate School
Producer Award
The True Honey Co.
NIG Nutritionals
Silver Fern Farms
Science & Research Award
Professor Jon Hickford, Dr Huitong Zhou, Freeman Fang – Lincoln University
Bevan Harris – LIC
NIWA Led Irrigation
Insight Programme
Emerging Leader Award
Emma Boase – Horticulture New Zealand
Angus Dowson – Ballance Agri Nutrients
Coadette Low – Rathkeale College
Innovation & Collaboration Award
Tōtara Industry Pilot – Scion
Cellulose nanocrystals from New Zealand Seaweeds – Scion
Hydrogen – Ballance Agri Nutrients and Hiringa Energy
Team Award
NZ Pork
Surfing for Farmers
GoHort