B+LNZ Farmer Councils provide a pathway for farmers to lead, support and engage with B+LNZ’s regional extension by setting regional priorities, helping with identifying critical topics and supporting the extension team to develop and deliver events and activities that farmers want and that will make an impact in their farming business.
B+LNZ Farmer Councils core purpose is to partner with the Extension Team to champion farming excellence across New Zealand.
The bring a farmer lens to develop targeted, farmer-centric Regional Extension Delivery Plans and action. The goal is to create positive impact on-farm ensuring as a sector we are profitable, productive and sustainable now and into the future.
They are our key farmer sounding board. They are our extension team’s critical partner, providing local farmer insights and providing advice to guide decision-making and support us in delivering value to our farmer.
We have seven B+LNZ Farmer Councils across the country, each has a Chair and Deputy Chair:
- B+LNZ Northern North Island Farmer Council
- B+LNZ Mid Northern North Island Farmer Council
- B+LNZ Western North Island Farmer Council
- B+LNZ Eastern North Island Farmer Council
- B+LNZ Northern South Island Farmer Council
- B+LNZ Central South Island Farmer Council
- B+LNZ Southern South Island Farmer Council
View the Chair and Deputy Chairs here.
Our Farmer Councillors also sit on other related groups to help guide B+LNZ’s focus on specific areas like environment policy (Environmental Reference Group), science and research (Farm Research Advisory Group) and People and Capability (People & Capability Advisory Group).
B+LNZ Regional Delivery Plans
Each of B+LNZ’s Farmer Councils across New Zealand, alongside their extension team, produce an annual Regional Delivery Plan (RDP) to address the unique needs of farmers across the country and setting goals that will ‘shift the dial’ for farmers in each region.
These plans guide B+LNZ’s 2024/25 extension programme, directing time and levy investments to meet farmers' priorities for regional events and activities.
View the latest RDPs for 2025
The next Regional Delivery Plan process for 2026 will start in May 2025.