Taggart tops Aorangi Young Farmer field

Coldstream dairy farmer Jack Taggart was crowned Aorangi FMG Young Farmer of the Year on Saturday evening, earning himself a place in the 2026 Grand Final. Supplied.

Under the hot Canterbury sun, the sound of a cheering crowd carries over the noise of chainsaws and drills.

Fence posts are hammered into the ground with loud, echoing thuds. Sheep shears buzz, and a tractor whirs to life. Humming over it all: the sound of joy, excitement and proud support.

“I’m just so stoked,” said 26-year-old Jack Taggart.

Taggart, one of eight contestants at the Aorangi FMG Young Farmer of the Year, has just won the regional competition and earned himself a spot in the 2026 Grand Final.

“This is my fourth or fifth run,” said Taggart, who placed second at regionals last year, narrowly missing out on the 2025 finals.

“It’s definitely been a long time coming, and I can’t quite believe it just yet.”

The young Coldstream dairy farmer is now in the running for national victory after being crowned Aorangi’s top young farmer.

Taggart was announced as the winner of the Aorangi regionals on Saturday evening, after spending the day competing in a tough series of practical challenges at Woodbury Domain, near Geraldine.

“There’s definitely some stiff competition,” Taggart told the Guardian.

After a written exam on Friday, Saturday’s competition featured a series of four challenges, including head-to-heads, where Taggart really excelled.

With 25 minutes on the clock and 25 nails to use, contestants raced to deconstruct a pallet and turn it into a birdhouse.

Jack Taggart races the clock during one of Saturday’s practical challenges, as contestants put their skills to the test in the Aorangi FMG Young Farmer of the Year regional final near Geraldine. Supplied

Taggart took to the race like a duck to water, with so much time to spare that he even managed to shape a tiny bird-sized footpath to match.

“That’s the first time the head-to-head has actually gone my way. I’ve had a bit of grief in the past … I’m so stoked with the birdhouse.”

With 292 points, Taggart narrowly defeated fellow Ashburton local and former Grand Finalist George Letham, who finished with 280.

Aorangi convener Penny Stilgoe told the Guardian all the contestants had already done incredibly well just by making it to the regional stage (or rather, the regional field).

“It’s the best of eight, and it’s a very tight competition.

“Some of these challenges will be everyday skills for some of our contestants, and some will be a challenge — but everyone comes in with a smile and just has a go.”

More than 300 spectators watched on in support, and one local supporter told the Guardian: “It’s really important for us to be here, supporting these young men and women.”

Three age-based categories were featured in the competition. While finalists battled for Young Farmer of the Year, primary school pupils tackled AgriKids NZ, and high school students competed for the FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year title.

Emma Kinzett (left) and Meghan Nish, both of Mount Hutt College, celebrate after taking out the Aorangi FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year title at Woodbury Domain. Supplied.

In AgriKids NZ, The Beaconsfield Redbands (Angus Ward, Tessa Croft and Hunter Clark) from Beaconsfield School took out first place. The Flynns of AIS Farmers (Flynn Lovett, Flynn Chudleigh and Flynn Tait) from Ashburton Intermediate placed second, and the Hinds Hustlers (Ebony Groves, James Sheppard and Sophie Sheppard) of Hinds School came in a close third.

Meanwhile, Emma Kinzett and Meghan Nish from Mount Hutt College took out the title of Aorangi FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year, ahead of Niamh Hawe and Libby Jackson of Ashburton College.

Joining Taggart, the top AgriKids NZ and FMG Junior teams will now compete in July’s Grand Final in New Plymouth.