BAY OF PLENTY DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

March 10, 2026

The winners of the 2026 Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards were announced at the annual awards dinner held at the Awakeri Events Centre near Edgecumbe on Tuesday evening.

The 2026 Bay of Plenty Share Farmers of the Year are Stefan and Rachel Grobecker, with Reno Moses winning the title of Bay of Plenty Dairy Manager of the Year and the Dairy Trainee title going to Breiton Tuwairua.

The winner of the 2026 Bay of Plenty Share Farmer of the Year followed friends into the dairy industry after seeing the mix of science and business.

Stefan and Rachel Grobecker are 50/50 sharemilkers for Wendy Wilson and Sue Hughes on Mary Allen Farm at Waimana, milking 255 cows on 119ha.

Stefan studied civil engineering at university but moved into a career into dairy farming, moving up from farm assistant through the ranks to contract milker then sharemilking with partner Rachel.

“It was a challenge to understand a totally new industry. Moving from engineering to farming, construction management is about solving a few really big problems to achieve success in a project – farming is about getting the little things right every day.”

Like many farming businesses, the couple have had both highs and some tough learning moments in recent years. Those experiences have strengthened their focus on good systems, daily discipline, and continuous improvement. They’re committed to refining their processes and becoming the best farmers they can be.

Stefan and Rachel took home an impressive $11,350 prize package.

Runner-up in the Bay of Plenty Share Farmer of the Year is George King and Hannah Lukins.

George, 28, and Hannah, 26, are 50/50 sharemilking 250 cows for Michael and Kaye Watkins on 80ha in Matata.

George won the Bay of Plenty Dairy Manger of the Year in 2024 and the couple wanted the opportunity to build connections across the country to lean on for advice.

“We genuinely believe that entering the Dairy Industry Awards shaved years off our progression.”

George and Hannah are off dairy farms in England, and both studied a Diploma in Agriculture before coming out to New Zealand on working visas. They returned to the UK before George got a job as farm manager in the Bay of Plenty and Hannah is now working as a rural valuer.

“We are excited to be a part of the future of the New Zealand dairy industry. W are positive that this is the place to be to produce profitable milk from grass in a way that is unique to the rest of the world.”

The couple won $6,975 along with three merit awards.

Third place in the Share Farmer category is Renee and Benjamin Howard, who won $5.050 and three merit awards on the night.

The couple are 11% equity owners in a 89ha farm at Whakatane with Jon and Leanne Howard, milking 235 cows.

“Our farm is our life. The farm has been in Benjamin’s family for over 64 years, so it’s not just a farm, it’s our history and our future.”

The 2026 Bay of Plenty Dairy Manager of the Year Reno Moses won $9,525 and four merit awards on Tuesday evening.

The 28-year-old is farm manager for Scott and Rebecca O’Brien on Rory and Susan Gordon’s 260ha farm at Galatea, milking 700 cows.

Reno entered the Dairy Industry Awards again this year because it pushed him outside of his comfort zone to keep improving and gain more knowledge.

Reno manages the farm without the boss living on farm so he has had to learn to manage staff and problem solve when things go wrong.

Judges said Reno “showed exceptional leadership who drives team performance and farm success”.

Reno is passionate about striking a good balance between work and being home with his wife and two young children.

“Spending quality time with my family and finding time for hunting and fishing and rugby is very important – I’ve seen what stress can do to people and I don’t want it to have the same effect on me.”

His goal is building enough equity to go contract milking in the next three years.

Runner-up in the category is Satwinder Singh who is herd manager for Andrew & Chris Primrose, milking 235 cows on 73ha at Te Puke.

Satwinder, 27, comes from a wheat and rice crop farm in India. He studied an Agriculture Diploma at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology in Rotorua and has worked on dairy farms increasing his knowledge and experience to now having sole charge in his current role as herd manager.

“I chose farming because I enjoy practical, hands-on work and working with animals – I like the responsibility that comes with the role and knowing my daily effort directly impacts animal performance and farm results.

“One of my biggest successes has been achieving top production for the farm last season. Beyond the numbers I’m proud of how I’ve developed as a herd manager – taking on responsibility, improving systems, and leading a team to perform at its best.”

Satwinder won $5,250 and one merit award.

Third place in the Bay of Plenty Dairy Manager is Joshua Purdie. The 22-year-old is assistant manager for Nigel Gordon on Warwick Gordon’s 138ha farm at Paengaroa, milking 380 cows.

Joshua grew up on a dairy farm and started relief milking at 16 and got his first full-time job on a dairy farm at 17 and plans to go contract milking in the next couple of seasons.

Joshua won $3,625 and one merit award.

Winner of the 2026 Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee Breiton Tuwairua won $7,100 in prizes and one merit ward.

Breiton is 2IC for Sam and Kate Moore on Tuhōe Te Uru Taumatua farm, milking 470 cows on 140ha.

“What I love about farming is being outside everyday and beating everyone to the good sunrises.”

Judges said “Breiton has the X-factor and the depth of his Wairua (his spirit) shone through in his responses”.

The 21-year-old is passionate about farming a sustainable operation that works with the land not just on it.

“The Tauranga River that is next to our farm is what hydrated and supplied my ancestors with water to sustain their crops. This river is part of who I am. I’m excited to see my progress as the years go by and hope to achieve my personal farm goals of working towards a more sustainable dairy system.”

Runner up in the Dairy Trainee category is Adam Manners, a 19-year-old who is working for Melonie McEntyre, milking 157 cows on 64ha at Ohauiti.

Not knowing what to do after leaving school, Adam got given an opportunity to go farming and he now has the bug.

He has set goals to move up to farm management then sharemilking to get to farm ownership.

Adam is currently studying for the New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Skills for Dairy Farming through Primary ITO. He won $1,500 and one merit award.

Third place in the 2026 Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee is Conor O’Toole. Conor, 30, is farm assistant for Sam and Kate Moore, milking 520 cows on 150ha at Otakiri.

Conor switched careers from building to farming two years ago and is loving being able to work with animals, especially caring for the animal health of the cows.

He took home $1,250.

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors ASB, CowManager, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Honda, LIC, Power Farming and Trelleborg, along with industry partners Fonterra, DairyNZ, and The Country.

The Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards Field Day will be held on 26 March at 10.30am, at 286 Hodges Road, RD1 Waimana, 3196, Fonterra S/N 22426.

Further details on the winners and the Field Day can be found at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz

Results of the 2026 Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards:

2026 Bay of Plenty Share Farmer of the Year

Winner – Stefan & Rachel Grobecker

Runner Up – George King & Hannah Lukins

Third – Renee & Benjamin Howard

2026 Bay of Plenty Dairy Manager of the Year

Winner – Reno Moses

Runner Up – Satwinder Singh

Third – Joshua Purdie

2026 Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee of the Year