Moving On Up

Federated Farmers’ proud record as an important training ground for future community and business leaders has been reinforced by two key appointments to Environment Waikato, said Don Nicolson, vice president of Federated Farmers of New Zealand.

“The Federation is very proud that the new chair and deputy chair of the Waikato regional council are both former provincial presidents of Waikato Federated Farmers,” Mr Nicolson said.

Peter Buckley, the new chair of Environment Waikato, recently stepped down after two and a half years as president of Waikato Federated Farmers. The council’s deputy chair is John Fisher, who was Mr Buckley’s predecessor as president of Waikato Federated Farmers.

“Peter and John cut their teeth on the workings of local government during their terms at Federated Farmers. Building knowledge on environmental issues and developing networks and leadership skills are key attributes learned through taking provincial leadership roles at the Federation.

“Peter and John will be excellent leaders as they have plenty of experience in representation and seeking consensus on difficult issues. They are also adept at dealing with media and are not afraid to put forward strong opinions, which is to be admired,” Mr Nicolson said.


“The Federation has a proud history of its leaders going forward into other leadership roles. The recent local government elections resulted in many former and current Federation officials stepping up to councils.

For example, Federated Farmers Hamilton district chair Tony Armstrong and Putaruru long-time member Norm Baker were also elected to Environment Waikato. Former Marlborough Federated Farmers president Pat O’Sullivan is on Marlborough District Council, and the Federation’s former Sharemilker Employers’ Section chair Michael Joyce is on Taranaki Regional Council.

Other examples of farmer leaders going forward include Sir Peter Elworthy (business leadership), Owen Jennings (national politics), Malcolm Bailey (Fonterra director), and Tom Lambie (Chancellor Lincoln University).