B+LNZ Regional Delivery Plan 2026: Eastern North Island

Learn what extension activities we have planned for the Eastern North Island (ENI), powered by your local Farmer Council and regional team. These plans are designed to ensure farmers are supported and engaged in their learning to grow sustainable, thriving businesses and communities. 

image of Eastern North Island Farmer Council outside

Your ENI B+LNZ Farmer Council 

  • Your ENI B+LNZ Farmer Council
  • Richard Scholefield (Chair)
  • Max Tweedie (Deputy Chair)
  • Nuku Hadfield
  • Di Roadley
  • Tim Jefferd
  • Sam Bunny
  • Michael Hindmarsh
  • Chloe Butcher Herries
  • John Beech
  • Janine Swanson
  • Grace Pettit
  • Simon Falloon
  • Corey McFadzean
  • Abi Elworthy
  • Bradley Wadsworth
  • Hylton Bayliss (co-opted member)

Your B+LNZ Regional Team 

What we're focused on

Our extension activities are built around these key focus areas for ENI. 

Production
Production and performance knowledge underpin farm viability. Focusing on key drivers supports efficient, effective farming businesses		 Financial
Strong financial performance provides options. Connecting farm performance with financial outcomes builds confidence and capability.  		 People
A growth mindset enables farmers and teams to navigate diversity and change while building thriving rural communities.  
Resilience and Adaptation 
Building capability to manage risk, respond to change and thrive through adversity		 Management Systems and Land Use 
Supporting farmers to develop systems aligned to their goals and build sustainable, future-focused businesses.
 		  

How we’re delivering for farmers 

Field days and demonstration events

A programme of practical on-farm events showcasing proven approaches, innovation and farmer-led learning.

Featured topics include:

  • Seasonally relevant Farming for Profit events.
  • Farmer-led innovation case studies and discussion panels.
  • Production-focused learning and productivity benchmarking.
  • Future-focused farming systems.
  • Cropping and feed systems.
  • Climate resilience and drought preparedness.
  • Technology and AI adoption.
  • Land-use change and farm system design.

View upcoming local events on B+LNZ’s event calendar.

Workshops and skills development 

Farmers will have access to practical learning opportunities covering:

  • Growing Great Lambs.
  • Body Condition Scoring.
  • Wormwise and Wormwise 2.0.
  • Better Beef Breeding.
  • FeedSmart.
  • Crop and pasture management.
  • Technology demonstrations including Halter, Gallagher, drones, collars and monitoring tools.
  • Understanding your wider farm advisory team.
  • Cashflow forecasting and budgeting.
  • Profitability drivers and benchmarking.
  • Succession planning.
  • Employer excellence.
  • People leadership and 2IC development.
  • Generation Next.
  • Shepherd to Shareholder.
  • AI capability building.
  • TB biosecurity.
  • Farm planning and Freshwater Farm Plans.
  • Mental wellbeing and resilience.

View upcoming local events on B+LNZ’s event calendar.

Focus Groups

Small-group learning programmes designed to help farmers apply new ideas and build confidence.

Areas of focus include:

  • Animal production.
  • Lamb survivability.
  • Parasite management.
  • FEC/FE Monitoring.
  • Financial performance.
  • Farm systems.
  • Integrated farm planning.
  • Leadership and people capability.

Learn more about B+LNZ Focus Groups. 

Community and collaboration 

Building stronger rural communities through events, partnerships and networking opportunities.

Activities include:

  • Women's and blokes' events.
  • National Lamb Day activities.
  • A&P shows.
  • Farmer of the Year (FOY) events.
  • Wairoa Expo.
  • Adverse event support and recovery initiatives.
  • Rural Support Trust partnerships.
  • Young Farmer and dog trial sponsorship.
  • BFEA sponsorship and farmer showcase events.
  • International market and trade awareness activities.