2026 B+LNZ Award finalists

After a robust judging process, B+LNZ is pleased to announce the finalists in the 2026 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Awards. The winners will be announced at the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Awards on Wednesday 20 May at Te Pae in Christchurch. It’ll be a night of celebrating our world-leading sector where we introduce the finalist and announce winners for all eight award categories. 

Congratulations to all the finalists.  

The finalists are:

Bioeconomy Science Institute Emerging Achiever Award

  1. Ben Dawson (Patoka) 
  2. Graham Johnson (Waikato) 
  3. Alice Wilson (Wairoa) 
image of 2026 B+LNZ awards trophy
B+LNZ awards trophy

Rabobank People Development Award

  1. Lone Star Farms (Nelson) 
  2. Shane and Lynnette McManaway, Ongaha (Wairarapa) 
  3. ADB Williams Trust (Dannevirke) 

Alliance Significant Contribution Award

  1. Phil Journeaux (Waikato) 
  2. Dr Stewart Ledgard (Ruakura) 
  3. Dr William Rolleston (South Canterbury) 
image of B+LNZ awards trophy
image of 2026 B+LNZ awards trophy

FMG Rural Champion Award

  1. Mark Harris (Hawke’s Bay) 
  2. Kristy McGregor (Horowhenua) 
  3. Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network 

Ballance Agri-Nutrients Science & Research Award

  1. Dr Gale Brightwell and AgResearch Food Integrity Team 
  2. Paul Kenyon (Palmerston North) 
  3. Garth Riddle (Northland) 
image of 2026 B+LNZ Awards trophy
image of B+LNZ Awards trophy

Datamars Livestock Technology Award

  1. GenomNZ (Dunedin) 
  2. Helical (Rotorua) 
  3. Super Air (Waikato) 

Gallagher Innovative Farming Award

  1. FE Gold (Waikato) 
  2. Jon and Fiona Sherlock (Waikato) 
  3. Tairāwhiti Whenua Charitable Trust (Gisborne) 
image of B+LNZ Awards trophy
image of B+LNZ Awards trophy 2026

PGG Wrightson Market Leader Award

  1. Conscious Valley (Wellington) 
  2. Green Meadows Beef (New Plymouth) 
  3. Rob and Mandy Pye (Northland) 

Queries

If you have any questions, please email: [email protected]