Pātoka sheep and beef farmer Patrick Crawshaw has been elected to the Board of Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) as the Eastern North Island farmer director.
The election was originally part of the 2023 B+LNZ annual meeting process but was delayed due to the significant disruption caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in the region.
Crawshaw received 4,305 votes, which represented 32.76 percent of votes received. Paul Crick received 3,397 votes (or 25.85 percent), Jenny Boyne received 2,786 votes (or 21.2 percent) and Sandra Matthews received 2,356 votes (or 17.93 percent).
B+LNZ Board Chair Kate Acland congratulated Patrick on his election.
“I’m looking forward to working with Patrick, who I know is incredibly passionate about our sector and ensuring its future success. Patrick has been developing his governance career and has recently completed the Rabobank Executive Development programme. He will be an invaluable addition to the Board.
“I know this hasn’t been the easiest election process while the region has dealt with Cyclone Gabrielle’s aftermath, and I thank all the candidates for their commitment to the process and their interest in representing B+LNZ and their fellow farmers.”
Previous ENI director George Tatham, who farms a coastal Wairarapa sheep and beef breeding and finishing property, did not seek re-election after serving nine years on the Board. In the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, he agreed to continue in his role while the rescheduled election process took place.
“I’d like to thank George for providing continuity while we completed this process and for the support and encouragement he provided the ENI candidates,” she says.
“George felt it was the right time to step down in March and I’d like to recognise his invaluable contribution since taking up the role in 2014. He will be missed.”
Voting ran from 12 April to 5 May and was conducted by postal and internet voting. The voting return percentage for this election was 22.35 percent.
View the ENI director election results here (PDF, 88 KB).
ENDS
For more information, please contact James Ford on 027 235 9806 or media@beeflambnz.com