B+LNZ has released the results of voting in the WNI farmer director election. Andrew Stewart, Rangitikei hill country farmer, has been elected to the B+LNZ Board in the Western North Island electorate. Results of other voting will follow the annual meeting next week.
In the election as part of the 2025 B+LNZ Annual Meeting process, Stewart received 4,233 weighted votes while his opponent and current WNI Director Scott Gower, who stood for re-election, received 3,502 weighted votes – a winning margin of 731.
B+LNZ Board Chair Kate Acland congratulated Stewart and thanked Gower for his work as the incumbent director.
“I know Andrew will bring new thinking and fresh ideas, along with a determination to be future-focused and I look forward to working with him on the Board.”
Turnout for this director election was just short of 13 percent, which is on par with other comparable organisations.
“This was pleasing given it was the first year of moving to online- only voting. I really encourage farmers to get involved and have their say via the voting process whenever they have the opportunity” Acland says.
Outgoing WNI Director Scott Gower will be formally farewelled after the annual meeting.
Acland thanked Gower for his six years of service. “Scott has made a fantastic contribution during his time as director bringing a large-scale, grassroots hill country farming perspective to the Board table. As Chair of the People & Culture Committee he played an important role in the refresh of B+LNZ’s strategy and the appointment of our new CEO. I wish him all the very best for his next endeavours.”
ENDS
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