B+LNZ Focus Groups for Northland Farmers

Coming to Northland. We're taking expressions of interest for the B+LNZ Shepherd to Shareholder and Technology Innovation Focus Groups for farmers.

What is a Focus Group?

These are small group learning environments with a specific area of focus. Practical half day workshops, delivered over two years (eight in total) to enhance farm profitability, productivity, and sustainability, delivering real value now and into the future.

Are you a young manager, shepherd, or up-and-coming farmer looking to take the next step in your farming career? The Shepherd to Shareholder Focus Group is designed for those who want to understand the real pathways into farm ownership and build the capability, confidence, and financial literacy needed to get there.

This practical, down-to-earth programme brings together industry experts, real farmer stories, and hands-on learning to help you explore the different routes into ownership — whether that’s equity partnerships, leasing, sharefarming, or building your position within a business. You will gain clarity on what banks look for, how to grow your equity, how to assess opportunities, and how to make smart, informed decisions that set you up for long-term success.

Across the sessions, you will connect with like-minded young farmers, hear from those who have successfully made the jump, and walk away with tools you can apply immediately in your current role.

If you are ready to invest in your future and map out your pathway toward ownership, register your interest today. Spaces are limited, and the group begins in June.

What you will gain

Shepherd to Shareholder Focus Group

• Financial literacy
• People and relationship skills
• Goal setting, investing and career planning
• Mentorship and networking
• Business management capability
• Financial goals and investing
• Risk management
• Succession and equity pathways

Technology Innovation Focus Group

• Access to local examples of tech being used and developed on farm
• Adaption of collar technology on beef cattle
• Build resilience and adaptability in your businesses and communities. 
• Develop and share solutions that can be scaled across the sector

Selection criteria

• Actively working on a sheep and beef or dry stock property (associated levy payers).
• Willingness to learn new skills and understand the drivers to improving on farm production and profitability of the sheep and beef sector.
• Participants must attend all Focus Group meetings

Find out more

For more information, contact NNI Extension Manager Alison Whiteford [email protected] or 0274897343

Register you interest