Beef + Lamb New Zealand is saddened by the recent death of former Farmer Director Anne Munro and acknowledge the significant contribution she made to farming communities and the red meat sector.
Anne, who along with her husband Philip farmed in Fairlie, sat on the B+LNZ Board between 2010-2016, representing farmers in the Central South Island (CSI)region.
Hawkes Bay farmer Mike Petersen was B+LNZ Chair during Anne’s tenure and says Anne always cared deeply about communities and people and was particularly sensitive about how the outcomes of any big decisions would impact farmers, farming communities and B+LNZ staff.
He said she was really passionate about farming and ensured every decision the board made was in the best interests of farmers, both within her region and nationally.
“She brought a very grounded farmer face to the table.”
Mr Petersen says Anne’s sense of community was reinforced when, immediately after standing down from B+LNZ, she served as a councillor on the MacKenzie District Council and was elected Mayor in 2022. She stood down from the roll in 2025 due to her cancer diagnosis.
South Canterbury farmer Bill Wright was Chair of B+LNZ’s Central South Island Farmer Council when Anne was Director and described her as being engaged, selfless and dedicated.
He said she loved serving farmers both as a B+LNZ Director and later as a Mackenzie District Councillor.
Mr Wright says Anne served with empathy and listened with respect to anyone who had an opinion.
He said during her time as B+LNZ Director, she engaged closely with the B+LNZ’s CSI Farmer Council and staff and created a strong pathway between the B+LNZ Board, management and farmers at a time when farmers were dealing with some real challenges, including increased legislation.