Meet the finalists: Thomas Slee
- Claire Inkson
- Apr 1
- 4 min read
Third time lucky for Slee in Otago Southland Young Farmer final
Nightcaps dairy farmer Thomas Slee is heading to the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final after taking out the Otago Southland regional title in Gore on February 7.
The 28-year-old accumulated 271 points across five demanding modules at the Gore A&P Showgrounds, finishing ahead of Henry Smith of Clinton (258) and Harry McCallum of Te Anau (234).
For Slee, it was third time lucky.
“It was good to get there in the end,” he said.
Having previously placed second and fifth at regionals, Slee said experience likely made the difference this year.
“Don’t really know, to be fair. Probably just a bit calmer and a bit more relaxed about it, I suppose. And it was good having done a couple before. You get a bit more of a feel for what might be thrown at you. You just try to get the points in the right spot.”
The competition featured a mix of technical, practical and mental challenges, including machinery tasks, an ACC module, Agri-Sports and the fast-paced buzzer quiz.
The competition is deliberately varied, testing competitors across a wide range of skills. Each finalist has their own strengths and weaknesses, and with limited warning about what challenges will involve, they have to think on their feet.
Slee admitted machinery isn’t his strongest area.
“I’m not very good with machinery, so that was a challenge. I haven’t done heaps of that kind of stuff.”
Despite describing himself as “not that good” in the quiz this year, Slee said sitting near the top of the leaderboard changed his approach.
“Usually if you’re halfway down you can just go for broke. But I was sitting near the top of the leaderboard, so I was probably a bit more cautious than usual.”
In Agri-Sports, he surprised even himself.
“I did last in sports in time, but I ended up winning it. It was probably the same thing - just trying to gather up some points rather than rushing through everything. In the past, that’s probably what I’ve done.”
From banking back to the farm
Slee grew up on a sheep farm 20 minutes from where he now contract milks approximately 1,000 cows alongside his parents near Nightcaps.
After school, he completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Commerce at Lincoln University before working at BNZ in Invercargill for three years.
Returning to farming was partly about lifestyle and family.
“It was good to get out of that corporate world. I was working for someone else, I suppose. I’m sort of my own boss now, which is quite nice. It’s good to be near home and involved with the family.”
He believes the mix of university, banking and practical farming experience may help him at the national final.
“I’ve done a few different things now. I’ve just got to try and put it all together and do some study.”
Preparation for the Grand Final in New Plymouth from July 2–4 is already front of mind.
“I’ll probably just try and make a bit of a plan and get some study underway. There are a few different sections - a technical day and interview, and a project you’ve got to present.”
Slee says winning the grand final would be “pretty special”.
“It would be a pretty cool accomplishment. It’s definitely been a goal of mine for a while. I just haven’t been able to make it through the bloody regionals.”
Strong showing across age groups
The Otago Southland final also showcased emerging talent across the younger divisions.
In AgriKids NZ, Slade Thwaites, Fletcher Duff and Lucian Webster of Northern Southland College claimed top honours. Angus Officer, Will Riley and Hunter Legg of Limehills Young Farmers (Limehills School) were second, while Toby Beer, Jack Drain and Cole O’Meara of Drummond School placed third.
In the Junior Young Farmer section, Lara Heiss and Emily Reid of Blue Mountain College took the title, with Jack Horrel and Hunter Norman of Southland Boys’ High School finishing runners-up.
Slee, along with the top AgriKids and Junior teams, will now represent the region at the Grand Final in July.
New Zealand Young Farmers chief executive Cheyne Gillooly said it was encouraging to see strong community support at the event.
“FMG Young Farmer of the Year is a true celebration of agriculture and the people who drive it. From the youngest contestant just beginning, to the oldest giving it their last shot, the strength in which people show up for their community makes me so proud of what Young Farmers represents.”
While Slee admits he doesn’t love the spotlight, he accepts it comes with the territory.
“I don’t really like it that much, but it’s part of the competition. You’ve got to put yourself out there.”
For now, the focus is simple as he looks towards the national event – with his Mum giving him a helpful push.
“Mum’s been bombing me with stuff to start studying for the Grand Final. I think she was more hyped up than I was at regionals,” he laughs.
“My parents will be good support people to have for the coming months.”
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