28 | NZ products well respected globally Hamish Marr has met with farmers, producer groups and politicians across the globe, from Australia to Europe, India and North America. Kim Newth MEAT & WOOL » Hamish Marr “You cannot beat NZ Wool it is naturally grown from grass” Main West Coast Road, Yaldhurst, RD 6, Christchurch 7676, New Zealand Phone: +64 3 342 6223 Email: ywlwool@nzwool.com Web: www.nzwool.com In his first year as New Zealand Special Agricultural Trade Envoy, Mid Canterbury mixed farmer Hamish Marr has met with farmers, producer groups and politicians across the globe, from Australia to Europe, India and North America. What continues to impress him, over and over again, is New Zealand’s strong reputation as a premium primary producer. “No matter where I go around the world, our product and our people are held in the highest regard,” says Hamish. “It’s one of the most humbling messages you can hear as a visitor in another country, particularly when you’re serving as the agricultural trade envoy and trying to work on behalf of people back home. The food we send offshore is perceived to be of the highest quality and is often publicised as a premium product. “Weighing against that is disappointment that there’s not more of a premium paid for it. That’s very frustrating and it’s an ongoing challenge for our primary export sector.” Another striking theme for Hamish is that sustainability and the environment sit high on the agenda at most meetings. While New Zealand’s primary production is well-regarded, Hamish says our world class farming systems are not as well recognised by other countries. “We’re going to have to fight hard for recognition of our systems when the time comes. My advice to our farmers is make sure you’re collecting the data on what you’re doing so that when people ask questions on your performance you can provide the proof.” As agricultural envoy, Hamish has been allaying fears about New Zealand’s potential to upset internal markets, for example in North America. The United States is New Zealand’s second largest export market with meat, dairy, wine and horticulture making up most of that. “We are seen as a threat when it comes to our dairy and lamb, but I spent time explaining that we simply do not have the capacity to be disruptive as our dairy production is plateauing and lamb is falling back too. “Instead, I see a lot of potential for us to work as collaborators in our markets, using our knowledge to grow relationships that can be mutually beneficial.” Juggling envoy duties with farming life in Methven has been challenging at times. Hamish says he is very grateful for the support he’s had from his family and community, who appreciate the importance of the role. Hamish and his family also regularly host visiting agricultural leaders from other countries. “I really enjoy that side of it and explaining what‘s going on in the New Zealand farm context.” Hamish continues to be involved with the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) and says the FAR team deserves acknowledgement for the tremendous work they do for New Zealand’s arable farmers in developing knowledge, tools and Pleased to support Hamish Marr Phone: 64 3 308 3322 Email: office@hlrosevear.co.nz P.O. Box 560, 10 JB Cullen Drive, Newlands, Ashburton, 7772 INTERNATIONAL SEED PRODUCTION AND MARKETING PROUD TO BE INVOLVED WITH QUALITY SEED PRODUCTION FROM MARR FARMS technologies to support responsible and profitable farming. A former Nuffield Scholar (2019) and a New Zealand Seed Grower of the Year (2022), Hamish was also honoured to receive a prestigious Syngenta Growth Award (Community and People) in Sydney late last year. These awards recognise achievements by growers, advisors and innovators across Australia and New Zealand and their influence on the agricultural sector. Meanwhile, Hamish will soon be packing his packs once again to travel as our agricultural envoy to China (September) and Latin America (late November).
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