Tracy Brown and Cameron Henderson take on these respective roles.
Tracy Brown.
Tracy Brown and Cameron Henderson have been confirmed as chair and deputy chair of the DairyNZ Board, respectively. Brown had previously been announced as chair-elect in June 2024 when former chair Jim van der Poel signalled his impending retirement from the role.
DairyNZ’s board of directors comprises five farmer-elected directors and three independent directors.
Brown said she was enthusiastic about the new direction and future of DairyNZ. “We are changing things at DairyNZ to focus more on the long-term success of the sector, as opposed to the day-to-day farming that farmers already do so well.
“We represent all 10,600 dairy farmers and have a powerful data set and science base with which to crack our future challenges. Our new strategy focuses on key issues such as genetics, climate resilient pastures, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and strong biosecurity systems,” she said.
Brown holds a BAgSci (Hons) degree and was first elected to the DairyNZ board in 2019. She has been involved with leading environmental change for dairy through her roles as DairyNZ Dairy Environment Leaders chair, Ballance Farm Environment Awards Alumni chair, and as a Dairy Women’s Network trustee.
An AWDT ‘Escalator’ alumni and Nuffield scholar, she was a finalist in 2017 Westpac Women of Influence Awards and won a Sustainable Business Network’s ‘Sustainability Superstar’ award in 2018. She has previously held two Cabinet-appointed roles, one to the Essential Freshwater Independent Advisory Panel and the other to NAWAC.
Cameron Henderson
Henderson was first elected to the DairyNZ board in 2023. He has worked in various roles to improve outcomes for farmers, starting with his time at Fonterra in supply chain strategy, then later at DairyNZ as a farm systems developer. He has served as provincial president for Federated Farmers and advised on regional policy with Environment Canterbury. Nationally, he was the only working farmer on the He Waka Eke Noa steering group and currently sits on the board of Ballance Agri-nutrients.
Cameron said he was looking forward to bringing the positive, progressive, and pragmatic approach he uses on farm to his board leadership role. “I am excited to take on this role during an important time for the dairy sector where we continue to do more with less,” he said.
“Milk production average for the past decade is slightly up and cow numbers are slightly down. We are building resilience into our systems, facing up to the current challenges, and we are harnessing opportunity. Technological uptake, Kiwi innovation, and a commitment to sustainable grass-fed farming will continue to deliver a bright future for us,” he added.
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