Her eight-year term on the board, of which three were as chairwoman, has come to an end, along with three other directors, Nikki Davies-Colley, Pauline Lockett and Eric Roy.
Houpapa accepted her appointment was at the behest of the Ministers of State Owned Enterprises Winston Peters and Finance Grant Robertson.
The newly appointed directors are Nigel Atherfold, Hayley Gourley and Belinda Storey.
She said the Landcorp she joined eight years ago was very different to the one she has just left, with a different strategy, focus and operating model.
Part of that was having the courage to stand up and say “We can’t continue to farm the way we used to farm,” she said.
“We are extremely proud of that but we also put up our hand and say ‘we haven’t got it all right’.”
Landcorp is focusing on the three elements of land: environment, economics and cultural elements she believes are now being discussed by the wider industry.
“It is a pointy and an uncomfortable conversation but one we need to have.”
But the biggest challenge facing all industries is having a workforce of capable people.
Houpapa said immigrants are part of the solution but NZ also has to grow its own workforce.
She is proudest of how Landcorp grew and developed its people during her time in charge.
“I am proud as a board, leadership team and company we invested in people and we’ll see returns on that investment.”
Running NZ’s largest farm, owned by the Crown, is unusual because everything Landcorp does is in the public eye and closely followed by the public.
Houpapa is regularly stopped in the street by people willing to express opinions and thoughts about Landcorp and agriculture.
Landcorp is increasing in relevance because of its philosophy and strategy which led to the creation of Pamu, the brand given to products created by the company, and new ventures.
Questioning why the Government should own a farming company is old thinking, she said.
“It is simplistic, easy and smacks of old thinking to ask why the Crown should own Landcorp. They should be asking why not own Landcorp.”
Its size and diversity allows Landcorp to trial new products and systems.
Just 130 days after the board approved the venture Landcorp was milking sheep, it was also trialling milking deer, looking at opportunities with alternative proteins, how to better use land classes and ways to improve health and safety.
“All of these and more are reasons for the Crown to own an entity like Landcorp.”
Houpapa has several other directorships including Primary ITO and the Victoria University council.
