At Paroa Station in Tolaga Bay/Uawa, leadership is proven through capability, consistency and commitment on the job. That approach was recognised recently when Lily Tangiora Scully (20) was named the inaugural Emerging Leader Award winner at a recent Rakanui Field Day.
The Emerging Leader Award recognises young people who are already demonstrating the skills, values and leadership potential needed for the future of the sheep and beef sector. Lily’s journey is a clear example of that in practice.
B+LNZ sponsors the local Farmer of the Year competition where the Emerging Leader Award was presented.
Lily is a part of the B+LNZ Emerging Managers Focus Group, run by Pania King, B+LNZ’s Mātanga Whenua Māori (Māori Agribusiness Advisor) for Tairāwhiti.
Pania says Lily stands out for her passion, drive and commitment to farming. “Lily is the only female in the current group of emerging managers, and she brings real energy and purpose to everything she does. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Lily and seeing where her leadership journey takes her.”
Shaped by land, place and experiences
Lily’s pathway into farming hasn’t been linear. She grew up in the South Island before moving to Tairāwhiti with her family around six years ago, gaining first-hand experience of two very different farming environments.
The transition from colder, snow‑affected systems to the steep and demanding East Coast hill country was significant, both physically and mentally.
“The hill country is a lot rougher and meaner,” Lily says, simply.
That experience has helped build a practical understanding of land capability, stock and systems that comes from doing the work and learning by necessity. It’s a grounding that continues to shape how she approaches farming today.
Her first step into the industry came through casual work alongside her dad, followed by involvement with the Future Farmers New Zealand programme. From there, she was placed at Paroa Station, where she has now spent the past three years steadily taking on responsibility and building confidence in her role.
What stands out is not just that Lily stayed, but how she stayed – learning the land, backing herself, and becoming someone her team can rely on.
“I love everything about farming. I love the physical side, being on the land … I love the whole lot,” she says.
Earning her place
While the Emerging Leader Award is an important milestone, Lily describes the recognition in personal terms.
“I’m just proud of myself for getting here,” she says. “I had a lot of ‘you won’t be able to do it – you’re a girl’… and I’m doing what I’m doing.”
Her experience reflects something many women in farming still encounter – assumptions and barriers that require resilience to navigate. What’s notable is Lily’s response. Rather than being distracted by those challenges, she has focused on the work itself.
“Even when it’s tough, I’ll still stick through. I just try to keep on top of things. I don’t like disappointing anybody.”
That sense of accountability matters. In a farming context, where outcomes are shared and pressure is constant, reliability is leadership. It is the person who shows up prepared, who follows through, who holds the standard.
Over time, those habits build trust. And trust is what leadership is built on.
The kind of leadership our sector needs
Lily’s story reflects a broader shift across the sector. Leadership in farming is increasingly recognised not by age or title, but by capability, consistency and connection to land and people.
For emerging leaders like Lily, that looks like:
- learning through doing, not just observing
- taking ownership early, even when the stakes feel high
- building confidence alongside competence, not waiting for permission
- contributing to a team environment where everyone lifts together
Equally important are the systems around them. Programmes such as Future Farmers, supportive farm teams, and employers willing to invest in young people all play a critical role in developing and retaining talent.
For B+LNZ, supporting pathways like these and recognising emerging achievers early – is about strengthening the future of sheep and beef farming across regions.
Looking ahead
For Lily, the recognition is less about the award itself and more about what her story might encourage others to consider.
“All I really want is to encourage young women to get into farming,” she says. “Everyone is capable and there is no reason we can’t.”
“And never let anybody talk you out of something that you love doing.”
That message resonates strongly in a sector where passion for the whenua sustains people through the toughest seasons.
B+LNZ congratulates Lily on being the inaugural Emerging Leader Award winner and looks forward to seeing her ongoing contribution to farming in Tairāwhiti and beyond.