Saturday, March 30, 2024

Vice getting prepped to be national president

Avatar photo
Federated Farmers national president Bruce Wills, who will stand down in July, says it is normal for the vice president to take over as national president.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

“Dr William Rolleston is working to replace me,” Wills said.

All the board members expressed confidence in Rolleston.

Jeanette Maxwell said Rolleston was very connected in south Canterbury.

“He had big involvement with the south Canterbury branch; that is how he moved through the ranks, he did not come from an industry good body,” she said.

She said those within the bio-security sphere know him well as his responsibilities are within that.

“We are known by our sectors more than by our names.”

Maxwell and Willy Leferink would both stand down from the board as they had been on it for three years.

Completing a term of three years and then retiring was encouraged by the constitution.

Both of them would be replaced by their vice.

“It is important to have people coming through all the time,” Leferink said.

He had no desire to stand for national president.

Board member Katie Milne said she had not thought about her long term aims in terms of vice or national president.

The self-described junior of the board would continue on into her third year on the board.

Board member Anders Crofoot was preparing himself to step up as vice president

“William and I have been talking about for some time,” he said.

His aim for the year was to the lobby group be more proactive and collaborative around policy and strategy.

Board member Ian Mackenzie had similar aims.

“We need to re-position ourselves from being perceived as always objecting to finding positive solutions,” he said.

The grain and seed chairman did see anyone putting up their hand to replace him.

He would also continue to be the spokesperson for water and environment, trying to work with Labour and Greens to modify their views and policies, to provide continuity to new board as three members are stepping down.

Board candidates had to be nominated and seconded.

Members could nominate themselves.

A national council of 42 members representing the various geographical areas would then vote in the members.

Rolleston was out of the country at the time of this story being published. 

Total
0
Shares
People are also reading