Fresh face now leading Matamata feds
Stew Wadey, well known for his advocacy for the rural sector, has stood down from his role as chairman of Matamata Federated Farmers.
He is also standing down from several elected positions within Federated Farmers New Zealand.
Wadey has been a voice on Federated Farmers for over 16 years.
As Wadey steps down, former vice chairman Ben Moore has taken his place.
Wadey became involved with Matamata Federated Farmers in 2001, shortly after he and his family moved to Buckland Rd.
He spent 14 years on the executive board of Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Waikato 1998) Inc, as junior vice then president in 2008-2011.
He also held the treasurer for five years.
He still holds a place as a member of Federated Farmers, and is excited to see what Moore will bring to the table.
‘‘Some quite rightly deserved to retire,’’ Wadey says.
‘‘Thankfully we still have good people willing to come forward and be counted to ensure a work- role of able bureaucratic environment for farming businesses.
‘‘Federated Farmers members of our district are fortunate to have the next generation of rural leaders coming through.
‘‘People that are prepared to stand up for a fair and equitable playing field in producing vital export earning primary product.’’
Moore has a farm in Okoroire, where he lives with wife Lizzy and their children Henry and Arabella.
When Wadey announced his retirement as chairman, he suggested Moore ‘‘come into the breach’’.
Moore has spent the past year learning from Wadey.
‘‘I am pretty impatient and young, and there are processes and policies to follow in Federated Farmers,’’ said Moore.
‘‘With Stew, I have learned to slow down and take a back seat, get the correct information, think about it and then act.
‘‘I just want to do more for the community and it’s nice to be doing that.’’
At 30, Moore says he is one of the youngest members of Matamata Federated Farmers.
But he only sees that as a benefit.
‘‘I believe we need more young people in leadership roles, learning from our elders.
‘‘They have knowledge and we need it.
‘‘The older guys need to acknowledge that fact, and let us into those roles.’’