Episode 73 – How farmers, science and media shaped NZ’s dairy story
In this episode, Anne Lee chats with Dr John Roche, New Zealand Prime Minister’s Chief Science Adviser and Chief Departmental Science Adviser at MPI, to mark 100 years of dairy innovation.
From the early days of walk-through sheds to today’s AI-enabled systems, they explore how farmer-led ingenuity, scientific research and trusted rural media like Dairy Exporter have driven progress on pasture-based farms.
Buy the Dairy Exporter 100 Year Collector’s Edition 2025 here
Hosts:
- Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter
- Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter
Guest:
- Dr John Roche, Prime Minister’s Chief Science Adviser, New Zealand Government
The Prime Minister’s Chief Science Adviser, Dr John Roche, reflects on 100 years of dairy innovation, tracing the sector’s evolution from walk-through milking sheds in the 1920s to today’s data-driven, pasture-based systems. He explains how Kiwi farmers, researchers, and rural media like Dairy Exporter have worked together over generations to solve practical challenges and lead the world in efficient, low-cost dairy production.
John unpacks pivotal shifts, from the adoption of rotational grazing and advances in herd testing to the integration of genetics, AI and automation, highlighting how a science-backed, farmer-led approach has driven productivity while strengthening environmental stewardship. He outlines how policy, co-operative models, and a long-term mindset have helped balance profitability with resilience.
Looking forward, John sees opportunity in systems thinking, continued R&D, and smarter use of on-farm data to future-proof the sector, ensuring New Zealand dairy remains globally competitive and socially sustainable for decades to come.
