Trish Rankin

Trish balances teaching part time at Opunake Primary School and being on farm full time in South Taranaki with her husband Glen and their four boys.

A passionate environmentalist, Trish has undertaken the Kellogg Leadership Programme this year was elected onto the National Executive for the NZ Dairy Awards and last year was selected as a NZ Climate Change Ambassador as part of the Dairy Action for Climate Change. With the main purpose being a research project focused on ‘how can a circular economy model be developed on a NZ dairy farm.’ Trish says she is both a farm assistant and CEO of their farming business, having learnt over the years to milk, drive tractors, feed stock and do fences as well as sort the Health and Safety and human resources out. An active Dairy Enviro Leader (DEL) and member of the NZ DEL network Trish is also Chair of the Taranaki DEL group.

In 2018 she was elected onto the National Executive for the NZ Dairy Awards and last year was selected as a NZ Climate Change Ambassador as part of the Dairy Action for Climate Change.

Trish, has conscientiously sought new challenges which have led her to being actively involved in a variety of roles in the dairy sector. Her driver is the desire to lead the way in the environmental space particularly with regards to the minimising of farm rubbish.

A consummate learner, Trish is ready to develop the “how” and with her “let’s make it happen” attitude she is on a positive trajectory of fulfilling her vision. – Judges Panel

Watch her reflections on receiving the award here