Wills honoured for work for agriculture, environment
The man credited with leading the Federated Farmers advocacy approach to environmental sustainability was made an Officer of the Order of New Zealand in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Bruce Wills is a former Federated Farmers president, an ex-banker and a well-respected primary industry leader.
Bruce has made significant contributions to agriculture and the environment over several decades at local, provincial and national levels.
His efforts have not been confined to just one sector, he has held key national roles in shaping and guiding the sheep, beef and wool industry, as well as apiculture, horticulture and deer farming.
Bruce represented his Hawke’s Bay farming colleagues’ best interests as an office holder in Federated Farmers, initially at a regional level and then nationally as the New Zealand president.
He assumed this position during a particularly difficult time for farming, with sheep and beef farming in the doldrums and agriculture coming under increasing public scrutiny for its impact on the environment. These threats were combined with low morale among farmers and a declining Federated Farmers membership.
Not satisfied with the status quo and determined to restore farming’s reputation, Bruce had the foresight and courage to forge a new direction for the organisation while defending farmers, agriculture and engaging positively and constructively with critics. He rebuilt membership of Federated Farmers, boosted morale and took his farming colleagues with him when he spearheaded efforts to tackle farming’s environmental footprint.
Bruce’s passion and concern for the environment starts in his own backyard. His own farm and its internationally renowned 12-hectare formal gardens Trelinnoe reflected this commitment to work with nature, not against it. He led by example by lowering stocking rates and using biological controls for pests such as thistle while enthusiastically demonstrating the success of these practices to other farmers by holding open days on his property.
This passion to preserve and protect the environment is further demonstrated by his long service to the Queen Elizabeth II Trust, of which he is presently director.
He has also advocated for recognition of farmers who are doing the right thing for the environment through his roles on farm environment awards, including the Balance farm Environment Awards. His philanthropic concerns have resulted in him being appointed to the Todd Foundation as a trustee. He is also a trustee of Motu Economic and Public Policy Research, an experienced company director and investment manager (currently independent chair of Apiculture New Zealand, and a director of Ravensdown fertiliser co-operative) and a past representative of New Zealand on international farming and trade forums.
Journalists, too, recognised Bruce’s contribution, with the Guild of Agricultural Communicators naming him the 2014 Landcorp Agricultural Communicator of the Year, highlighting his tireless promotion of agriculture while bridging the gap between rural and urban communities.