Reading Time: 3 minutes Bex Green, who fronted Federated Farmers’ successful fight over a move to centralise police stationed in rural Canterbury towns, is the organisation’s 2026 Advocate of the Year. The North Canterbury president is one of six Federated Farmers leaders acknowledged for consistently going the extra mile to stand up for what’s right for farming families and rural communities. Green, and Federated Farmers, recognised the huge value delivered by local cops who live in, and become part of, the rural areas they serve.
A proposal last year to relocate them to distant larger towns was seen as a backward step. “Despite being in the middle of calving, Bex fronted our major advocacy campaign with real tenacity, often in the face of considerable pushback,” Federated Farmers board member Mark Hooper said at the awards ceremony last night. “Her efforts not only helped secure a significant win for the campaign, but also raised the profile of Federated Farmers, strengthened the organisation’s presence in her province, and helped grow membership.” She
showed similar energy and commitment rallying the community and brokering support when windstorms ripped through North Canterbury last September and October, destroying pivot irrigators and other infrastructure. Green, and the North Canterbury province, also received the Chris Allen Memorial Trophy for their achievements and membership growth over the last year. “It’s doubly special to receive this award because Chris farmed near Ashburton and worked so tirelessly for the good of Canterbury, and for rural communities throughout New Zealand,” Green said. Similar determination, leadership and ability
to rally support during his eight years as Hawke’s Bay president is why Jim Galloway has been recognised with an Outstanding Contribution award. “In the face of droughts, floods, cyclones, regional plans, Environment Court appeals and everything else thrown at the sector, Jim’s commitment to farmers, his province, and Federated Farmers has been unwavering,” Feds board member Colin Hurst said. Galloway, who also chairs the Fertiliser Quality Council, has further demonstrated his commitment by staying on the Hawke’s Bay Federated Farmers executive as new president
Anthea Yule finds her feet. “Feds is all about good people doing good things for farmers,” Jim said, as he accepted the award. “Whether that’s working with government, supporting farmers through difficult situations, or helping people navigate challenges and opportunities, it all come backs to doing good things for people. “I’ve had an enormous amount of fun doing it.” The 2026 Arable Advocate of the Year is John McCaw, who has chaired the Federated Farmers Herbage Seed Subsection for the last six years. Arable chair
David Birkett said McCaw’s efforts have been exceptional and “hugely valuable. “His intellect and the balanced approach he brings to advocacy are outstanding. “He’s developed spreadsheets and tools that give farmers greater power, control, and confidence when it comes to negotiations.” National board member Richard Dawkins described the advocacy of Meat and Wool Advocate of the Year Simon Cameron as “absolutely relentless”. The West Coast president and Meat and Wool council deputy chair epitomises Feds and what it is to be a grassroots leader. “He
advocates around pest issues, the Department of Conservation, wilding pines, and so many other issues affecting farmers and our members. “He does podcasts, hosts MPs and he’s done countless kilometres travelling around the country.” Cameron – as did other leaders honoured with awards – acknowledged their success comes from a team effort: fellow provincial executive members, Feds staff and family support. “I can’t leave the stage without thanking the real MVP at home – my partner, Courtney,” Cameron said. “She’s at home with two kids,
feeding out in the rain. A huge shout-out to her.” New Auckland president and recent member of the Federated Farmers Dairy Council, Rosemarie Costar, is the Dairy Advocate of the Year. “She’s incredibly engaged, always active, and always asking questions on behalf of others,” Dairy chair Karl Dean said. He was sorry to lose her as a council member as she took up the reins for Auckland but also proud of how Federated Farmers harnesses talent for the greater good. “Leaders like Rosemarie take the
skills and passion they’ve developed in dairy advocacy and apply them more broadly for their province and for Federated Farmers as a whole.” The Emerging Advocate of the Year is 2026 Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Award winner and new Mid Canterbury president Kerry Harmer. She was hailed by national board member Sandra Faulkner for her courage, empathy and tenacity, showing by example excellence in sustainable farming and working to get impractical red tape reversed. “Kerry’s ability to tell a story – and to recognise not
only her own story, but the stories of others – is something special. “She stuck with it and just keep putting her hand up, kept walking forward and kept going, ‘You know what, I have value here, and this is a community that I want to be part of’.” Federated Farmers, New Zealand’s leading independent rural advocacy organisation, has established a news and insights partnership with AgriHQ, the country’s leading rural publisher, to give the farmers of New Zealand a more informed, united and stronger
voice. Federated Farmers news and commentary appears each week in its own section of the Farmers Weekly print edition and online. Views shared does not represent that of Farmers Weekly.
Federated Farmers, Bex Green, police centralise rural Canterbury, Chris Allen Memorial Trophy, windstorms North Canterbury, Jim Galloway, Outstanding Contribution, John McCaw, Simon Cameron, Rosemarie Costar, Kerry Harmer, AgriHQ partnership