Beef + Lamb New Zealand is calling for nominations for director roles in the Northern South Island and Northern North Island electoral districts.
Under the requirements of B+LNZ’s Constitution, current directors Kate Acland (Northern South Island) and Phil Weir (Northern North Island) must retire by rotation at the 2027 Annual Meeting.
Both have indicated they will stand for re-election. If other candidates stand in the respective districts, a director election will take place there, but if no other candidates stand the incumbent will be re-elected.
Director elections are an important part of ensuring the B+LNZ Board represents the interests of farmers.
Farmer-elected directors provide grassroots perspectives in B+LNZ decision-making, and farmers keen to apply their knowledge and experience are encouraged to put themselves forward. Find an outline of the expectations of farmer elected directors here (PDF, 577 KB).
The successful candidates for these positions will also be appointed to the Board of Directors for the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).
Written farmer proposals (remits) for the 2027 Annual Meeting, and nominations for the Directors Independent Remuneration Committee (DIRC), are also being accepted.
Remits proposed by farmers can seek changes to policy or are a matter of major interest or concern for sheep and beef producers and are also voted on as part of the Annual Meeting process.
The DIRC performs the important function of providing farmers with an independent recommendation during the Annual Meeting voting process on directors’ fees for the B+LNZ and NZMB Boards.
The DIRC provides independent consideration of market information, director time commitments required and a range of other factors.
All nominations and written remits must be made on official forms and received by the Returning Officer at Electionz (nominations) or B+LNZ (remits) by 5pm on Friday 27 November 2026. Confirmation of elections (if required) and the date of the Annual Meeting and voting timelines will be advised soon after that date.
Where to access forms and information
Director and DIRC nomination forms and information regarding the elections are available from the Returning Officer at Electionz:
- at www.electionz.com/BLNZ2027R
- by emailing [email protected]
- or phoning 0800 666 032.
Remit information, including the remits policy and guidelines, and the remit form, are available from B+LNZ:
- at www.beeflambnz.com/about/corporate-documents
- by emailing [email protected]
- or phoning 0800 233 352.
Voting
To be eligible to vote in the B+LNZ director elections and for annual meeting resolutions and remits (if any) a livestock farmer must, on 30 June 2026, have owned at least 250 sheep, or 50 beef cattle, or 100 dairy cattle and be registered on the B+LNZ electoral roll. Voters must farm within the respective electorate to be eligible to vote for the Board of Directors.
Farmers who have recently voted in Annual Meeting processes or last year’s foot and mouth disease agreement vote are on the electoral roll and do not need to re-register. To check if you are on the electoral roll contact B+LNZ on 0800 233 352.
Voting will be conducted online and by post, with a notice of meeting with links to voting information posted to all farmers on the B+LNZ electoral roll in February.
The date of election day (when voting for all elections, company resolutions and remits closes) and all associated timelines will be confirmed in December.
ENDS
For media queries, email [email protected]