Our Partners.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is proud to be a partner of the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust.  Our mission is to grow the primary industries, while protecting New Zealand’s natural resources.  The work of the Trust embodies this vision, and we are proud to support them.

New Zealand’s reputation as one of the world’s top producers of sustainable, safe and quality food is critical to growing the value of our primary exports.  The Ballance Farm Environment Awards showcase what is being done by farmers and growers across the country to deserve this reputation.  MPI applauds the dedication of the entrants to producing top quality products in a sustainable way.

Entrants to the Awards are excellent role models for the farming community.  Sharing knowledge and skills in this way is vital to overcoming challenges and ensuring the resilience and sustainability of the primary sector.

Goldpine is proud to partner with the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust in celebrating excellence in sustainable farming practices. At the core of this collaboration is the profound synergy between Goldpine’s values for environmental products and the remarkable initiatives undertaken by farmers striving for environmental excellence. Together, we are united by a common vision that champions responsible agriculture, innovation, and the preservation of New Zealand’s natural beauty.

The mission of HorticultureNZ is to create an enduring environment where growers prosper. Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) is an incorporated society representing the interests of New Zealand’s 5,000 commercial fruit, vegetable and berry fruit. The organisation works for the benefit of grower members on horticulture industry-wide activities and issues.

At Landpro, we live by 3 key values: Be Collaborative, Be Honest, Be Your Best (and have fun along the way!) We bring these values into our relationships with New Zealand farmers and growers – who we’ve been working with for more than 15 years. We work with farmers nationwide to ensure they have the right information to plan effectively and make informed environmental decisions that contribute to a sustainable future.

A key part of being your best in today’s climate is ensuring the sustainability of our agricultural sector, an increasingly essential piece of farm planning and operation as we look to the future. We’re proud to be a strategic partner of the Ballance Farm Environmental Awards and the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust who are committed to this long-term goal.

Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University is proud to partner with the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, particularly in supporting the Farming for the Future initiative.

As a champion and exemplar of sustainable practices in the land-based sector, the University works alongside the New Zealand Environment Trust wider community to celebrate environmental sustainability, aligning with the United Nations SDGs, especially those related to climate action, life on land and quality education.

Our support of the Farming for the Future programme enables Lincoln University to further advance our objectives to connect with regional leadership groups, share knowledge, drive innovation, build resilience and simply engage in productive conversations with the farming community.

Northland Regional Council introduced the Ballance Farm Environment Awards to their region in 2005 and is proud to remain a strong supporter of the BFEA programme.

Sustainable land management and protecting local waterways are key priorities for the council, and as such they sponsor the Northland Regional Council Water Quality Enhancement Award.

Among all the success stories showcased over the years runs a common theme: that profitabilty need not come at the expense of our environment. In fact, the best examples show that farming can actually restore and enhance the environmental values our communities hold dear.

Likewise, the winners’ stories profiled through the awards encourage and set a great example to other farmers of how they too can proactively manage their environment as part of an economically viable agricultural enterprise.

The Ballance Farm Environment Awards began in the Auckland region in 2015, acknowledging Auckland’s large rural constituency on both the northern and southern sides of the city as an important part of the regional economy.

Auckland region’s northern boundary spans from South Head across to just south of Mangawhai, stretching out to Great Barrier Island.  Its southern boundary encompasses Waiuku, Pukekohe and reaches across to the Firth of Thames.

Water quality is a priority for the Auckland Council, and as such they sponsor the Water Quality Enhancement Award, acknowledging excellence in land management practices and nutrient management.

Waikato Regional Council has a long-standing relationship with the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust with strongly aligned objectives around promoting sustainable farming in our region. The council is pleased to support the Trust and to play a key role in supporting successful awards in the Waikato.

Collaboration is vital. Only through working together can we be successful in sharing and promoting sound on-farm environmental management practices. Sustainable farming is fundamental to the continued wellbeing of the Waikato region both environmentally and economically.

The council works collaboratively to protect water quality in the Waikato, joining with iwi and stakeholders to develop regional plans that help restore and protect the health of the Waikato and Waipa rivers which, along with our other waterways, are a key to a vibrant regional economy.

The Trust and the Ballance Farm Environment Awards play a very important role in progressing this long-term goal of better protection for our land and waterways, and the Council continues to support their work in promoting sustainable practices.

Sustainable management of our land and water is the backbone of Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s mission, which is why they have sponsored the Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards since 2002.

The awards support and encourage the practices which will ensure we have healthy and sustainable resources on the land and water for future generations.

The region is facing some major challenges to improve our waterways, and the practical on-farm methods developed by the environmentally-conscious farmers who participate in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards are at the heart of this work.

The council is constantly impressed by our farmers’ willingness to look more closely at what they are doing on the land to protect their waterways, reducing nutrients, preventing erosion, managing pests and improving biodiversity. Most importantly they are willing to share their solutions with others.

The caliber of regional Ballance Farm Environment Awards winners and finalists has certainly vindicated the Taranaki Regional Council’s decision to form a partnership with the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust to bring the Awards to the region in 2014.

The Ballance Farm Environment Awards, with their national scope and competitive focus, perfectly complement the council’s own long-standing Taranaki Regional Council Environmental Awards, which highlight and celebrate environmental achievement across all sectors of the regional community.

Just one of the reasons Taranaki is truly like no other.

Another great and successful competition our region has participated in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards. The region was also delighted to have had two finalists in the Ahuwhenua comptetion.

This was evident in more entries and the higher calibre of hard working farmers participating.

It goes with saying that the level of betterment is continuing to grow in our district as people are becoming more aware of sustainable farming into the future.

Farmers want the same as environmentalist, farmers sole survival is how well they look after their land for the now and the present

I thank all that participated from participants, judges, sponsors. The future bodes well for us as a great paradise to continue and build on the good work we are all doing. Kia ora

Meng Foon – Mayor, Gisborne District Council

In 2010, the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust formed a partnership with the Gisborne District Council and the Hawkes Bay Regional Council to bring the Ballance Farm Environment Awards programme to the East Coast region.

The Awards corroborate the work the councils are doing to bring together planning processes, cross-sector collaboration and community engagement to support a transition toward more sustainable land use across the East Coast region.

Reflecting this focus, the councils co-sponsor the East Coast Farming for the Future Award, recognising profitable, advanced, environmentally sustainable farming.

Horizons Regional Council is proud to support the Ballance Farm Environment Awards and their celebration of those who have created systems that enhance the environment while maintaining profitability.

Horizons has been involved with the Ballance Farm Environment Awards since 2004 and value in their involvement as the Awards not only recognise successful farmers in the region but also provide the opportunity for the council to build stronger links with the community, share ideas and work in partnership with landowners to achieve environmental best practice.

Horizons sponsors the Integration of Trees Award which recognises a farmer or grower who has planted trees to improve the sustainability of their property. It encompasses soil erosion, biodiversity, stock wellbeing and aesthetics.

The Greater Wellington Regional Council has proudly supported the Ballance Farm Environment Awards since bringing the Awards to the region in 2001.

The council sees the Awards as a great way to celebrate excellence in sustainable land management and allow farmers to share innovative farming practices and discuss practical solutions to sustainability issues. The Awards show that the restoration and enhancement of the environment and profitability can be successfully integrated build a positive and profitable future for farming in New Zealand.

With a focus on enabling nature-base solutions to achieve sustainable land management, the council sponsors the Greater Wellington Regional Council Award, recognising outstanding use of plant materials to optimize land use.

Environment Canterbury has supported the Ballance Farm Environment Awards since bringing the Awards to the region in 2002.

For the council, the Awards provide an opportunity to recognise social, environmental and financial leadership on farm. By promoting sustainable land management and reducing the adverse effects on the environment we enhance not only our social and cultural wellbeing but help ensure the long-term sustainability of our farming industry.

The on-farm field days held following the awards’ conclusion are a particular highlight for the council as they are a celebration of excellence in farm management and provide a useful demonstration for farmers to learn new approaches.

Environment Canterbury sponsors the Water Quality Award, acknowledging farm practices that reflect the strategic importance of this natural resource to Canterbury and the connectivity between land use practices and water quality.

The Otago Regional Council has supported the Ballance Farm Environment Awards since bringing the Awards to the region in 2003.

Life on any type of farm is complex and busy, and balancing environmental, economic and social issues in this working environment is both an art and a science. The Ballance Farm Environment Awards directly assist this creative process, and in doing so supports resource management policies that Otago Regional Council has developed that call for land managers to manage their water and land resources in a sustainable way.

The council credits the Ballance Farm Environment Awards with helping farmers develop and share their knowledge of the latest leading farm management practices, which plays a part in maintaining New Zealand’s position as one of the world’s most innovative agricultural producers.

The Otago Regional Council sponsors the Water Enhancement Awards, which recognises on-farm developments and management practices that sustain and support healthy ground and surface water.

Environment Southland first brought the Ballance Farm Environment Awards to the region in 2001 and has been a strong supporter of the BFEA programme since.

With a focus on working together to support and celebrate leadership around good management practices, the council’s partnership with the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust is a valuable way of sharing knowledge and celebrating success.

Environment Southland sponsors the Water Quality and Biodiversity Award, recognising a farmer or grower who demonstrates sustainable farming practices, particularly with regards to water quality and biodiversity.