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Northland couple go head-to-head in battle to be NZ’s top young farmer

Written by
NZ Young Farmers

It’s not 28-year-old young farmer Kate Hawkings’ first Regional Final, but this season of challenges will be different. Competing against her partner Daniel Richards, the two will be gunning for gold as they support each other to first place.

Keeping her friends close and her family closer, the Tomarata digger driver is gearing up for a top spot at the upcoming Northern FMG Young Farmer of the Year Regional Final.

Pictured: Kate Hawkings competing at the 2024 Northern Regional Final.

The event, set to take place Saturday, February 1st at the Helensville A&P Showgrounds is a highlight on the rural calendar, with the competition boasting a strong track record of showcasing the very best talent and skills New Zealand’s food and fibre sector has to offer.

Throughout the day, Hawkings, along with her competitors, will face a series of tough challenges designed to test their practical skills, technical knowledge, and ability to handle pressure. 

An evening buzzer quiz will provide a final opportunity for them to score points, with the top competitor qualifying to represent the Northern region at July’s Grand Final in Invercargill.

This season, Hawkings won over her competitors in the District Contest, securing her spot in the Regional Finals. 

“Last year when I competed, it was scary and I was excited to win the district, because I never thought I would. This year, I’m taking it a bit more seriously, and it’s pretty cool because my partner is a finalist too, so we’re helping one another study and prep for the competition,” she says.

Growing up on her family dairy farm in Warkworth, Hawkings is a member of the Kaipara Young Farmers Club. A dairy farmer outside of her 9 to 5, the young farmer is learning as much as she can, both from her dad and her partner.

“Daniel has been a farmer for his whole life, he lives and breathes it. I lean on my dad a bit as he grew up on a sheep and beef farm.”

Hoping to inspire more young women to enter FMG Young Farmer of the Year, Hawkings is prepared to put in the hard yards to get those few steps ahead. 

“As a woman, I’m aware I’m going to need to work that extra bit hard in terms of my physical strength, but nothing’s going to stop me from doing my best. I want to do well so I can look back and be proud.”

New Zealand Young Farmers’ Chief Executive Lynda Coppersmith says this year 25% of Regional Final qualifiers are women, up on previous years.

“It’s amazing to see more young females choosing farming as a career and stepping up to compete for the title of New Zealand’s best young farmer. It’s inspiring and shows the future of the sector is in good hands.” 

Joining the FMG Young Farmer of the Year contestants at the Regional Finals are the primary-aged AgriKidsNZ and FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year contestants. 

“It's a great way to show students that there is a variety of career options in the food and fibre sector. This industry is incredibly diverse, offering many different pathways and opportunities for them to explore,” says Coppersmith.

This year a number of primary schools and high schools from the Northern region have thrown their hat in the ring.  

Northern Regional Final Convenor Zarnie Fergusson says contestants can expect an exciting old-school-styled event. 

“Think boots-on-the-ground farming activities,” she says. 

“Contestants will be stripped of the modern conveniences in farming and will need to solve things the way their grandfathers did.”

The FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest is proudly supported by FMG, Ravensdown, Woolworths, Ministry for Primary Industries, Milwaukee, Honda, Lincoln University, Massey University, PTS Logistics, New Holland and Bushbuck.

Written by
NZ Young Farmers

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