22 Jun Applications Open for 2026 Annual Board of Trustee Appointments
Dairy Trust Taranaki commenced operations in December 2016, with the merged assets provided by three legacy entities: Stratford Demonstration Farm, Waimate West Demonstration Farm, and the Taranaki Agricultural Research Station (TARS).
Dairy Trust Taranaki operates four farms and one dry-stock unit, on a commercial scale, covering 419 effective hectares, milking 1110 cows and employing up to 16 full time equivalent staff across the farm and science teams. Our work includes long-term farm system trials, applied research, farm demonstration, and extension, focused on the practical challenges and opportunities facing dairy farming in Taranaki and New Zealand.
We are committed to delivering relevant, innovative, world-class research, demonstration, and extension to the dairy farmers of Taranaki and New Zealand through significant long-term trials across our farms, through our strategic pillars:
· Kaitikitanga – Guardians of our Resources
· Leaders in Science and Demonstration
· Strength in our People
· Financially Sustainable
We have three Trustee vacancies this term. Terms are for three years, and the maximum number of terms for each elected Trustee is four terms.
Trustee Skills and Competencies Sought
· Demonstrated governance experience
· Future focused on-farm innovation including knowledge about industry technology
· Environmental and Sustainability capability
· Strategic monitoring, planning and implementation
· An interest in Dairy Farming research
· Integrity and passion to contribute to the dairy industry
Commitment
All Trustees are expected to attend an annual strategic planning event (1- or 2-days duration), bimonthly board meetings, and serve on at least one sub-committee.
This is an average monthly commitment of 6-8 hours. Trustees perform their roles on a mainly voluntary basis, travel expenses reimbursed. Trustees will ideally reside in the Taranaki region or be available to attend regular meetings in person. Online meeting attendance may be appropriate under special circumstances, or where the meeting has been scheduled as an online meeting.
Trustees will be encouraged and supported to undertake professional development for this role.
Applications close at 5.00pm on Sunday, 26th July 2026
Please send expressions of interest along with your CV to chair@dtt.kiwi with subject: “Trustee EOI”.
A return email will be sent acknowledging successful receipt of your email and include an information pack.