By Diana Dobson
The 2025 East Coast Farming Expo will host a group of wāhine toa who will give an indepth insight into the opportunities and successes the primary industries offer women.
Nancy Crawshaw, Mickey Trotter, Alice Anderson and Ariana Hadfield will speak on the Thursday morning of the annual expo being held on February 19 and 20 at the Wairoa racecourse.
Organiser Sue Wilson said the women come from a variety of careers within the sector and their panel discussion was a chance to learn about the different opportunities available.
“Up until recently it has been a very male-dominated sheep and beef farming industry - especially here on the East Coast.
“Doors are now beginning to open for women who enjoy getting out on the farm and not spending the day behind a desk.
“Females may not have the same strength of their male counterparts but they are good at adapting and using that top 10 inches.”
Wilson said while there was always room for improvement, things were changing.
“Women are definitely proving their capability. It’s great to have ambassadors here like Nancy - the current Zanda McDonald Award winner, which recognises and supports future leaders in the primary sector.
“Ms Anderson is the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council catchment management lead, Ms Hadfield an agribusiness manager for Rabobank in Gisborne, while both Ms Crawshaw and Ms Trotter farm.
“Ariana is looking forward to an event she sees much value in.
“It is fantastic for the Wairoa community, bringing people together to share stories, listen and learn through the seminars and demonstrations,” Hadfield said.
“It’s a chance to explore tools and technologies available to the sector, too. The education aspect is great and I liked that last year there was the opportunity to get a free health check – something people may not make the effort to do otherwise.”
Hadfield is originally from a sheep and beef farm in Ruakituri Valley, Wairoa.
“As a young Māori woman, I have been lucky to have had a very positive experience working in the primary industries. I think women bring a different way of thinking and working to the sector, including different perspectives and new ideas.”
Trotter works as a sheep and beef farmer with husband Clem between properties in Ongaonga and Putere.
They own and operate Woodbrook Stock Co Ltd, running 2500ha effective across three sheep and beef blocks in Hawke’s Bay.
“It’s great to see more women leading in the agricultural industry,” Trotter said. “They have a real ability to turn their hand to so many things and be lateral thinkers, which really helps in so many situations.”
Trotter said she was looking forward to her first Expo.
“These are a great opportunity to get off-farm and catch up with other farmers while also supporting the rural and local community.”
Those in the wider rural region had faced some big challenges over the past few years, Hadfield said.
“There is so much that has happened. As well as the weather events, there are Government regulations and drench resistance, among other things.
“A problem shared is a problem halved, and that’s where the expo brings a lot of value to our rural communities.”
- Diana Dobson is a freelance writer writing on behalf of the East Coast Farming Expo