Tracy Brown and Cameron Henderson have been confirmed as Chair and Deputy Chair of the DairyNZ Board, respectively. Tracy Brown had previously been announced as Chair-elect in June 2024 when former Chair Jim van der Poel signaled his impending retirement from the role.
Tracy says she’s enthusiastic about the new direction and future of DairyNZ. “We are changing things at DairyNZ to focus more on the long-term success of the sector, as opposed to the day-to-day farming that farmers already do so well."
"We represent all 10,600 dairy farmers and have a powerful data set and science base with which to crack our future challenges. Our new strategy focuses on key issues such as genetics, climate resilient pastures, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and strong biosecurity systems,” she says.
Cameron says he’s excited by the appointment and looks forward to bringing the positive, progressive and pragmatic approach that he uses on farm to his board leadership role. “I am excited to take on this role during an important time for the dairy sector where we continue to do more with less” he says.
“Milk production average for the past decade is slightly up and cow numbers are slightly down. We are building resilience into our systems, facing up to the current challenges and we are harnessing opportunity. Technological uptake, Kiwi innovation and a commitment to sustainable grass-fed farming will continue to deliver a bright future for us,” he says.
DairyNZ’s Board of Directors is made up of five farmer elected Directors and three Independent Directors. Find out more about DairyNZ’s Board at dairynz.co.nz/board.
Tracy Brown
Tracy holds a BAgSci (Hons) degree and was first elected to the DairyNZ Board in 2019. Tracy has been involved with leading environmental change for dairy through her roles as DairyNZ Dairy Environment Leaders chair, Ballance Farm Environment Awards Alumni chair and as a Dairy Women’s Network trustee.
Tracy has been dairying with husband Wynn on their Waikato farm ‘Tiroroa’ for 25 years. Originally from Northland, Tracy lives near Matamata on a 680 cow, 310ha (240ha milking platform) system three farm ‘Tiroroa’ which won the Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Supreme Award in 2010.
An AWDT ‘Escalator’ Alumni and Nuffield Scholar, she was a finalist in 2017 Westpac Women of Influence Awards and won a Sustainable Business Network’s ‘Sustainability Superstar’ award in 2018. She has previously held two Cabinet appointed roles, one to the Essential Freshwater Independent Advisory Panel and the other to NAWAC.
Cameron Henderson
Cameron was first elected to the DairyNZ Board in 2023. Together with his wife Sarah, two young kids and their farm team, Cam milks 750 cows on 240ha near Oxford, North Canterbury. They also lease a further 250 ha for dairy support and arable.
Cameron has worked in various roles to improve outcomes for farmers. Starting with his time at Fonterra in supply chain strategy, then later at DairyNZ as a farm systems developer. He has served as provincial president for Federated Farmers and advised on regional policy with Environment Canterbury. Nationally, he was the only working farmer on the He Waka Eke Noa steering group and currently sits on the board of Ballance Agri-nutrients.
Media contact
Jacob Quinn
Principal Corporate Communications Advisor
p 027 716 4197
e jacob.quinn@dairynz.co.nz