Entries have opened for the 2027 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA), the nation’s biggest celebration of excellence in the dairy sector.

Entries opened on Monday for the 11 regions across Aotearoa in the Share Farmer of the Year, Dairy Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year categories.

The regional winners will compete for the national title at the National Awards Dinner in Christchurch on Saturday, May 15, 2027.

NZDIA general manager Robin Congdon said the awards programme continued to shine a spotlight on the best of the New Zealand dairy industry, with strong entrant numbers last year across the categories and the backing of loyal national and regional sponsors.

“We are launching into our 38th year with real energy to drive and showcase best practice across the dairy sector.

“Following on from a strong year, farmers and businesses are in a good position to support the awards programme.

“It’s a great way to invest in your people and your business, and to help secure the future of New Zealand’s strongest primary sector.”

The awards are an opportunity for entrants to better themselves and their business.

Being able to benchmark against the best in the industry and gain insights from the judges puts entrants in a better position to advance their careers, he said.

Entrants get networking opportunities, the chance to find mentors and make key industry connections to help their future dairy careers.

The prize package of more than $1 million was the cherry on top, he said.

This year, Power Farming is back on board, offering the National Share Farmer of the Year runner-up the use of a KIOTI HX 140hp tractor for a year.

LIC’s GeneMark Genomics prize for the national winner of the LIC Animal Wellbeing Recording and Productivity Award, gives the winner the opportunity to DNA test the dams and replacement animals in their herd.

CowManager will again award a two-year CowManager Experience in the Share Farmer of the Year category.

Honda is back offering early bird prizes for those who enter before October 27, including an EU22i Generator for Dairy Trainee, a WB20 Water Pump for Dairy Manager and an XR150L Motorbike for Share Farmer of the Year.

“Our national sponsors across the board continue to provide significant rewards for the top farmers coming through the awards programme,” Congdon said.

“We are incredibly grateful for their ongoing support, which allows us to celebrate and reward the very best in our industry.”

The awards are run by dedicated volunteer regional committees, many of whom are former entrants.

Several regional committee representatives attended the NZDIA Conference in Rotorua in September and they are all excited to get back to their regions and find entrants, Congdon said.

It’s these people who continue to help run the awards programme and make it a success.

“There has been strong progression through the committee ranks, and it’s great to see strong regional committees this year with members stepping up into leadership roles. Being part of a regional committee is a fantastic way to give back to the industry and grow your own skills.”

Nominations for the Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award open in November.

The Responsible Dairying Award recognises leading farmers in the dairy sector who play a key role in showcasing excellence, identifying role models and best practice, and lifting the overall standard in the dairy sector.

The Fonterra and ASB First Farm Award and the ASB Alumni of the Year Award are also back on offer to deliver serious financial support to the next generation of farm ownership. Entries for these two awards open in the New Year.

These awards were another great reason to encourage young dairy farmers to enter the Dairy Trainee, Dairy Manager and Share Farmer categories, as the opportunities and value of being an alumni member continued to give back in the future, Congdon said.

The Fonterra and ASB First Farm Award will be presented to three winners, who will receive up to $1 million of ASB Business Term Lending fixed at 1 percent for three years.

The award provides financial and strategic support to help the best in the industry successfully launch into farm ownership. It is open to farmers who have previously entered the Share Farmer of the Year category and are planning to buy their first farm within two years.

The ASB Alumni of the Year Award is a collaboration between ASB and NZDIA to reward NZDIA alumni who have made significant contributions to the programme and the industry. The winner will also receive up to $1 million of ASB Business Term Lending fixed at 1 percent for three years*.

Entrants must be former NZDIA award participants who may have progressed to farm ownership or have more than 50 percent equity in a farm business.

Entries for the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards close on December 6.