Fresh eyes on a proud tradition
For Georgie Woods, being named the 2026 Royal Agricultural Society Rural Ambassador was more than a personal achievement. It was recognition of the role young people can play in ensuring New Zealand’s A&P movement has a future.
Nominated by the Northern A&P Association, Woods progressed through the competition before taking out the national title. Along the way, she met other young women involved in shows around the country and attended the RAS conference.
“It was a real honour,” she says. “The other women in the competition were fabulous, so it was incredibly special to take out the title.”
The experience has reinforced her commitment to the movement.
“I keep telling the friends I joined the A&P committee with that we are in it for the long haul now. We are not leaving.”
The role also gives Woods a place on the national RAS Executive for a year - her first formal governance role and an opportunity she sees as both a privilege and a learning experience.
“I am excited to visit other shows around the country and see how they operate,” she says.
“I want to help keep the traditions of A&P shows alive while also looking at how we can continue attracting people through the gates.”
That balance between preserving tradition and embracing change is something the Northern A&P Association is already grappling with.
The traditional livestock, equestrian, produce, home and craft classes remain central, but shows must also be willing to try new ideas.
This year, the association is extending the excitement beyond show day through a country-themed shopfront competition involving Rangiora businesses.
On show day itself, the motorised furniture race will return for a second year.
The idea came from another young committee member, with Woods helping to market it.
“We really did not know how it would be received,” Woods says. “It could have been a hit or a complete miss.”
Four teams entered, but the event drew such a large crowd that it earned another outing.
“You have to be willing to try new things and accept that some of them might not work.”
Not every experiment has succeeded. A Mr and Mrs Rangiora fashion-style competition trialled last year will not return.
“At least we tried it, and now we know.”
Her enthusiasm for innovation does not mean abandoning tradition. Woods has entered the decorated cake section for the past three years and has gradually recruited friends to join her. This year, five or six are considering entering.
“I believe that if you want people to get involved, someone has to be prepared to start.”
It reflects the creative side of a woman whose career might easily have taken a different path.
Woods considered broadcasting school and journalism, but agriculture ultimately won out. She grew up with parents who worked in the sector and leased farms, then studied agriculture at Rangiora High School.
The school farm and passionate teachers helped cement her decision to attend Lincoln University.
“For students who do not come from farms, studying agriculture at school might be their only opportunity to learn about the sector and consider it as a career,” she says.
“When I arrived at Lincoln, my eyes were opened to the enormous range of jobs and pathways within agriculture. You do not have to become a farmer or work on-farm every day.”
Her own career reflects that diversity.
After nearly two years with Enviro Collective in Mid Canterbury, Woods returned home to join Waimakariri Irrigation Limited in June 2025 as an environmental advisor.
She now helps about 160 farmer shareholders navigate Farm Environment Plans, audits, reporting and regulatory requirements.
Woods sees herself partly as a translator, helping make complex obligations understandable and less intimidating.
“There is a great deal of regulation and compliance for farmers to navigate, and many different organisations are asking them for information,” she says.
“I want our shareholders to feel comfortable picking up the phone and calling us when they have a question. It should not feel frightening or confusing.”
The most rewarding part of the role is getting onto farms and building relationships with the people behind them.
That same interest in rural people and places runs through Woods’ photography.
Given her first camera for her 13th birthday, she now photographs rural events and scenes, as well as families and engagements.
“When I get behind the camera, my mind stops. I become completely absorbed in what I am doing.”
Whether she is behind a camera, working alongside farmers or helping launch motorised furniture down a showground track, Woods’ interests come back to agriculture and community.
She hopes her year as Rural Ambassador will encourage other young people to step forward.
“A&P shows will only continue if another generation is willing to volunteer and bring new ideas with them,” she says.
“We can preserve the traditions at the heart of our shows while still trying different things, reaching new audiences and making sure the A&P movement remains relevant.”
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