Recognition of women in primary sector gaining ground
The new president of Federated Farmers is Katie Milne but she is not the only woman prominent in agriculture. Holly Ryan talks to some of the women making waves in New Zealand agribusiness.
FEDERATED Farmers president Katie Milne has lost track of the number of people who have phoned her farm in Kumara on the West Coast, asking to talk business with the man of the house.
Within minutes, she will often hear her husband say ‘‘I’ll hand you back to the boss — she can help you,’’ before he returns the phone to her.
This is because although the farm is a partnership, Ms Milne is usually the one managing the books and keeping the business side of things ticking over.
She says it used to be a common source of amusement for rural women when these calls came in.
As the role of women in agribusiness becomes increasingly recognised, however, the calls have become less frequent.
‘‘When we started out, the first 10 to 15 years, there were just hundreds of those calls,’’ Ms Milne said.
‘‘A lot of people outside farming might not realise agribusiness is hugely influenced behind the scenes by women. We are complete partners most of the time.
‘‘But it’s not necessarily widely known because we don’t step out into the fore, but that is changing.’’
Much of this change is being driven by the growing number of women stepping into leadership roles in the sector — not least Ms Milne herself.
Just last month, she became the first woman in Federated Farmers’ 118year history to be appointed president.
New Zealand’s lack of women in business leadership roles has long been highlighted as a major issue.
The NZX’s gender diversity statistics show that in 2016, just 17% of listed company directors were female — unchanged from the previous year. Of the top 50 listed companies, just one has a female chief executive — Kate McKenzie of Chorus.
According to business leader Mavis Mullins, however, the agrisector has a forwardthinking view on the issue.
‘‘Based on the optics, it looks like women are pushing through a bit quicker in agribusiness than other spaces,’’ Mrs Mullins said.
‘‘But I think there’s also a lot more understanding that if we’re going to get ahead, we can’t do it with 50% of our population latent.
‘‘We have to engage the smarts of everyone if we want to make a difference.’’
Although exact statistics are hard to find, the industry certainly has a high proportion of women in top leadership roles.
They include the likes of Kirsten Bryant, a director at Beef and Lamb NZ; Dawn Sangster, of Ranfurly, a director at Alliance Group; Fiona Hancox, of Tapanui, a director at Silver Fern Farms; Nicole Rosie, chief executive at WorkSafe New Zealand; and Fiona Gower, president of Rural Women New Zealand, to name just a few.
‘‘We’re noticing a lot more the growing number of women coming through, not just in agribusiness but in rural leadership roles, which is great to see,’’ Mrs Gower said, adding many of those women had been to university or gained other qualifications they brought to the business.
The changing view of a traditional farm and farmer is also helping the role of women to be recognised.
‘‘When you look at the quality of the women on boards or as CEOs of agribusinesses, it’s amazing,’’ she says. ‘‘And these people aren’t picked for being women; it’s because they’re the best person for the role.’’
Lindy Nelson, founder of education and training organisation the AgriWomen’s Development Trust (AWDT), puts it more simply.
‘‘Women are roughly 50% of the human capital that makes up our primary industries — their role is vitally important. It is pretty much 50:50,’’ she said.
The primary industry spans various sectors, including sheep and beef, horticulture, agriculture, wool and fibre, forestry and winemaking, but agriservices are also seeing a rise in female roles.
Massey University reports that of the roughly 122 veterinary students it accepts each year, about 75% are female.
Mrs Nelson said in the seven years since the AWDT was set
up, the script had been flipped on how women viewed their role in the sector, and on how the sector viewed and used female talent.
Just a few years ago, about 3% of graduates of the agricultural training programme Taratahi were female. Today that number was over 30% as more women choose farming as a career.
‘‘Part of our work in the last seven years has been making the abnormal, normal,’’ Mrs Nelson said.
‘‘Women’s leadership is the new normal, which is great because when we keep putting women up as being odd because they’re women, we take away the skills base and why they’re there — and that is to add value and through merit.’’
The Maori agribusiness sector is also a fastgrowing one, Mrs Nelson saying it made up an estimated 30% of the sector. Many of the big iwi enterprises are being governed by women.
One of the poster children for women in leadership roles is Traci Houpapa.
The Maori business leader sits on 11 different boards of corporations, councils, authorities and foundations.
She said research had shown gender diversity on boards resulted in stronger outcomes, discussions and decisions for companies and organisations. Adding that normalisation had been key, Ms Houpapa said.
‘‘It’s now normal for people like Katie Milne or myself to
lead some of the largest farming and primary industry organisations in the country,’’ she said.
‘‘So when you have female champions, and male champions supporting female champions, it starts to make it easier for others to walk up the onramp.’’
Changing consumer preferences and a shift towards sustainability and environmental awareness had also boosted the female agenda. Women naturally
tended to be very aware in these areas, Ms Houpapa said. Traceability of food was now a major focus for consumers.
‘‘People want to know where their food has come from and the farming operation in terms of people, land and animals, and they have a very wellbeing focus,’’ Ms Houpapa said.
‘‘So again, while our male counterparts might have that understanding as well, I think it’s the women that are starting to champion that more — it’s a natural step for us.’’ — NZME