Four finalists to vie for Dairy Woman

• Published date: 18 April 2024
• Publication title: Northern Advocate, The (Whangarei, New Zealand)

Organisers say the award recognises an outstanding woman who has contributed to the dairy sector with passion, drive, innovation and leadership. The recipient will receive a scholarship to be part of the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme

Ruddell (Ngati Tūwharetoa) chairs the Northland Rural Support Trust, and has a strong history of working in leadership roles in regional and national organisations.

She was instrumental in the Northland dairy sector’s recovery after Cyclone Gabrielle, providing hands-on support for those affected, fronting media interviews and facilitating responses between various agencies.

She is described as an articulate, inclusive, and confident leader who easily builds relationships and is driven to support the people in her business, community and sector.

The other finalists Ruddell is up against are:

Myfanwy Alexander

Eighteen years ago, Myfanwy Alexander, originally from Wales, came to New Zealand to intern on a dairy farm during her time at university.

She fell in love with the country and has been contract-milking in the Waitaki Valley on a 280ha, 920-cow farm for the past decade.

Alexander is well-known in the North Otago community and dairy sector.

She is the regional leader of the Dairy Women’s Network in North Otago, president of North Otago Federated Farmers and sits on the South Island Dairy Event governance group.

Alexander is described as “the embodiment of a positive role model” and a hard-working, dedicated, caring and empathic leader who strives to see others succeed.

Amber Carpenter

Amber Carpenter may have grown up as a “city girl” in Bucklands Beach, Auckland, but she is right at home in gumboots on the farm.

...