When Kate Denholm talks about New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF), she doesn’t just talk about committees, governance, or strategy; she talks about people. The new NZYF Chair speaks with warmth about the organisation that shaped her life, pride in the members who drive it, and excitement for what the future holds.
Kate grew up in Palmerston North, spending weekends on her grandparents' dairy farm, now owned and operated by her uncles and aunties. “The townie cousin” who fell in love with the industry early. That passion solidified during her university years at Massey, where she studied agricultural science and became heavily involved in the Massey Young Farmers Club.
“My first touch point with Young Farmers was TeenAg at Palmy Girls. Then going to Massey and being part of the Uni club, that’s where my Young Farmers journey really began.”
After University, Kate worked as a Dairy NZ consulting officer before returning to the family farm full-time, managing a 700-cow Holstein Friesian herd in the Manawatū. This is when she joined the Fitzherbert Young Farmers club.
Now, with her four-month-old daughter Millie in tow, Kate is stepping into leadership at a national level.
“I’m excited about this next journey as a farmer, a mum, and the Chair,” she says.
When it came to joining the Board, Kate’s path was driven by purpose.
“I’ve always aspired to be on the NZ Young Farmers Board,” she explains. “Governance interests me, but the main drive is my passion for Young Farmers. I want others to have the same opportunities I did, and for the organisation to still be thriving in another 100 years.”
Motherhood has added another layer to her commitment.
“With Millie now, I really do think about the future. I want thriving clubs for her to join one day.”
Recently, Chloe Jones and Nicola Blowey finished their terms on the board. Kate saw an opportunity not just to step up, but to help steer Young Farmers into a new era.
“Both Chloe and Nicola have given so much to our organisation as grassroots members and over the last three years on the board – on behalf of our membership, I would like to thank them for this.”
“We’ve had really good succession planning. When the Chair role came up, I felt ready. We’ve got a great team on the ground, amazing members, and a new CEO; it’s an exciting time.”
As Chair, Kate sees NZYF at a pivotal moment, with the 100-year celebration approaching in 2027 and a new strategy refresh underway.
“For NZYF to be here and relevant in the future, we need to ramp things up and take things to the next level,” she says. “We’re here to nurture young people, connect them, and help them grow within the sector.”
Kate emphasises the importance of clearly communicating NZYF’s “why” to members, partners, and the wider primary industries.
“We want the whole sector to know our value—from TeenAg and AgriKids through to members, employers, partners, and even government. Young Farmers should be the place for young people in our sector.”
And from the Grand Final in Taranaki/Manawatū next year to the organisation’s 100-year milestone, Kate sees huge opportunities ahead.
“I really hope we can pull people out of the woodwork—alumni, past members, everyone who has been part of Young Farmers over the past 100 years. It should be a celebration that propels us into the next chapter.”
We can’t wait to see what Kate has in store for us. Bring it on!