Women in Dairy

The DWN’s 2024 “Enhance, Elevate, Evolve” conference was held in New Plymouth last week. Sheryl Haitana takes the opportunity to talk to Katrina Roberts, Fonterra Woman of the Year; Jules Benton, CEO of DWN; and Rebecca O’Brien, DWN Regional Winner of the Year.

Editor of Dairy Exporter, Sheryl Haitana and co-host Deputy Editor, Anne Lee, chat with employers including Bernadette Kelly from Pāmu (Landcorp Farming), Emma Poole, Young Farmer of the Year Winner, dairy farmer & vet and Erynne Fields of Devon Dairies, who reveal the rewards they are getting by nurturing women working on farms.

Called in from Darwin by her late father to help run a new farming venture near Wānaka, Erynne Fildes has risen to the challenge and inspired other women along the way. Anne Lee reports. Photos: Olivia Turner.

There is room for improvement when it comes to addressing the gender pay gap in dairy and supporting women and parents, with better parental leave policies.

Employers need to be flexible where they can with women working onfarm if they become pregnant and want to take parental leave. By Sheryl Haitana.

A community preschool in Mid-Canterbury supporting busy farming families and enabling mums to work. Anne Lee reports.

When Cleo Te Kiri became pregnant with her first child she was on the cusp of moving up the career ladder at Pāmu. The pressure to retain her career trajectory saw her return to work quickly without much room for flexibility, however, Pāmu’s overhaul of its parental leave care has made the experience more positive with the welcoming of her second child. Sheryl Haitana reports.

Pāmu wants to be seen to be a leader in eliminating gender and other pay gaps. Sheryl Haitana reports.

Now is probably the best time ever for women to be accepted and involved in agriculture, Elaine Fisher writes.

Southland dairy farmer Suzanne Hanning carefully, in her own words, “pokes bears”. By Karen Trebilcock.