Changing of the guard for Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers

Outgoing Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers of New Zealand provincial president David Acland (left) hands over the reins to incoming president Kerry Harmer following his four-year tenure. Harmer becomes the first woman to hold the role in the branch’s 81-year history. Photo: Angela Cushnie

There has been a changing of the guard at Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers, with high-country farmer Kerry Harmer taking over as provincial president after the completion of David Acland’s four-year tenure.

Harmer’s appointment was announced at the branch meeting on May 7.

Harmer, who farms with her family at Castle Ridge Station, becomes the first woman to hold the position in the branch’s 81-year history.

But Harmer says gender was never something she considered when taking on the role.

“It honestly hadn’t even crossed my mind,” she said.

“It wasn’t until someone mentioned it at the meeting that I realised the significance of it.

“These days it should be assumed that it doesn’t matter who you are. You should get the job because of your skills and ability, and that’s how it should be.”

Harmer said while the milestone was notable, she believed it was more reflective of timing and circumstance than anything else.

“There have been a huge number of capable women involved in Canterbury Federated Farmers over the years,” she said.

“Sometimes it’s just timing or circumstance.”

She said women of her generation often stepped away from careers while raising families before later returning to leadership pathways.

“With women, you get a gap, but it’s for a different reason,” she said.

“Maybe that’s changing now because more women are juggling careers alongside raising children and taking less of a break.”

Harmer said having a mix of people around leadership tables remained important.

“A mix of genders creates a different dynamic,” she said.

“You tend to think about things differently and that’s positive. You want a diverse range of people, ideas and ways of looking at things around any leadership table.”

Harmer steps into the role at a significant time for the rural sector, with ongoing debate around RMA reform, local government reform and rural services continuing to dominate conversations across the country, particularly as New Zealand heads into an election year ahead of voters going to the polls on November 7.

“The big things are RMA reform and local government reform because those two cover nearly everything that impacts us in the rural community,” she said.

She also pointed to concerns around school bus services, access to services and New Zealand Post in rural communities.

“There are parts of our community, whether it’s older people or those further out rurally, who simply don’t have alternatives,” she said.

“People say everything can be done online these days, whether that’s banking, reading the paper or accessing services, but that’s not reality for everybody. We all need to be heard and listened to.”

Harmer said the role of Federated Farmers remained clear, regardless of which government was in power.

“Federated Farmers is there to advocate for the rural community,” she said.

“We wouldn’t be doing our job properly if we weren’t standing up and saying, ‘You need to know what our concerns are.’”

Asked why she chose to take on the role, Harmer said it ultimately came down to community.

“I believe in our rural community, and I believe people need to have a voice,” she said.

“You need people willing to step up, otherwise you can’t complain if you don’t like what comes your way.”

Harmer also paid tribute to Acland, describing him as “an absolutely cracking provincial president” and “a superb role model to follow”.

“He’s very good at looking at the big picture and dealing with people in a clear, concise and gentlemanly way,” she said.

“He’s got a huge amount of respect in the community because of that.”