Northland farmer, Greg Collins, has been named as the new DairyNZ Board Associate Director, starting on 1 June 2025.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown said Greg’s enthusiasm, experience, and interest in the sector will be an invaluable asset to the Board.
“Greg has a deep commitment to sustainability and innovation, and a wealth of experience that will help bring a different perspective, and unique insight to our discussions,” Tracy said.
“It will be another busy year for DairyNZ, and Greg, as part of the DairyNZ Board, will contribute to our important work of supporting New Zealand dairy farmers.
“I would also like to thank our current Associate Director Jonathon Hoets for his work over the past year. Jonathon has made a considerable contribution during his time on the Board, and we wish him well for the future.”
Greg and wife Claire, own a dairy farm in Dargaville, Northland, milking 140 cows. He is involved in his local dairy community, with roles on the Fonterra Cooperative Council, Northland Agricultural Research Farm Committee, and Northland Dairy Development Trust.
The couple’s commitment to improving environmental outcomes was recognised with a Northland Ballance Farm Environment Award in 2024, along with an award nomination in this year's New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards.
“I was over the moon to find out I had been chosen for the DairyNZ Associate Director role,” Greg said.
“It will be a huge opportunity for me, and getting my feet under the table of a board like DairyNZ will be an invaluable experience.
“After 20 years of milking cows I’m ready to step into the Governance side of dairy. Things in our industry are constantly changing, and we need to be well-placed to deal with future challenges. That’s why it’s so important to have an organisation like DairyNZ at the forefront.”
Associate directors are non-voting roles, appointed for a one-year term, starting on 1 June.
The role supports emerging leaders and those currently contributing to the sector, by providing experience and support from the eight current DairyNZ Board members, which can help in future governance roles and opportunities.
Fourteen other farmers have held the role since the initiative was introduced in 2013.
Media contact
Kahlia McNulty
Senior Corporate Communications Advisor
p: 022 854 2451
e: kahlia.mcnulty@dairynz.co.nz