44 | nzdairy Emma Bailey From managing a 1200-cow dairy farm in Southland at just 20 years old to returning home to Northland, Cole Henwood’s impressive dairy farming journey has seen him named the 2026 Northland Dairy Manager of the Year. His win was announced at the 2026 Northland Dairy Industry Awards dinner held at the Copthorne Hotel and Resort in the Bay of Islands in March. He also received three merit awards and $6,160 in prizes. Cole, 31, is the farm manager for Ken and Mary Finlayson, milking 650 cows on their 305ha farm near Whangarei. Northland honours outstanding dairy farm manager Cole Henwood with wife Jessie. New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards » Henwood and Finlayson He said he was humbled by the recognition. “I honestly wasn’t expecting to win. I entered the awards years ago when I lived in Southland and learnt so much from the feedback. That was one of the main reasons I entered again.” Preparing for the awards helped him better understand the farm and business. “As a fourth-generation dairy farmer, farming has always been part of my life.” One of Cole’s proudest achievements was taking over a 1200-cow farm at just 20 years old. Originally from Northland, he moved south at 16 to work on his aunt and uncle Jan and Glenn Porteous’ dairy farm before later moving to Lumsden to work for Tony and Lisa Paterson. Kamo Vets are proud to support the team at Henwood and Finlayson. When the farm manager left, the Patersons offered Cole the role. “Halfway through calving, the owners asked if I’d be happy to manage the farm. My eldest daughter was due to be born and I was nervous about taking it on. “Tony and Lisa were incredible employers and backed me the whole way, but unfortunately, due to health issues, during the first couple of seasons they had to spend a lot of time away. That meant a lot of responsibility fell onto our young team. The six of us working there were all under 25, so it was definitely a baptism of fire, but I learnt so much in those first few years.” Cole’s passion for dairy farming started young. “I grew up going to work with Dad on our family farm until it was sold when I was about five, so farming has always been part of my life. I still remember helping get cows in on the quad bike and steering the old truck while Dad fed hay off the back.” It is Cole’s third season on the Finlaysons’ farm and he plans to stay on for another year while working towards contract milking. “That’s always been the next step for us. We’re working towards making it happen within the next year or two.” Cole’s wife Jessie and daughters Kaya, 10, and Aubree, 4, have embraced farm life since moving back to Northland in 2023. “Kaya was coming out on the farm with me as soon as she was old enough. It’s a bit busier up here, so the youngest doesn’t get out as much. “I’ve promised Kaya she won’t have to change schools again, so Northland is home for us now.” The judges said Cole displayed “confident dairy management capability and professionalism, reflecting a well-run operation and a manager ready for the next level”.
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