Copyright farmersweekly
Reading Time: 4 minutes Four new Nuffield scholars were announced last night at Parliament, in front of Rural Leaders’ investing partners and political and industry leaders. The 2026 scholars represent three regions and several industries including dairy, aquaculture and red meat. The cohort will undertake a Rural Leaders-delivered programme that offers a life-changing opportunity for travel, study of the latest agriculture innovations and an introduction to decision-makers around the world. The new scholars were announced by Agriculture Minister Todd McClay. They are Clare Bradley, a Bay of Plenty aquaculturalist; Jared Clarke, a Canterbury farmer; Kelly Heckler, an Otago farmer; and Tracey Perkins, a Canterbury farmer. They are the 194th, 195th, 196th and 197th New Zealand scholars respectively. “Clare, Jared, Kelly and Tracey have shown they value giving back to community and industry. They display innovative approaches to their work, and they have demonstrated a track record of meeting challenges head on. Ultimately, they are now tasked with finding those deep insights that will create lasting benefit for New Zealand food and fibre, their industries and their communities,” said Kate Scott, Rural Leaders and Nuffield NZ chair. Lisa Rogers, Rural Leaders’ chief executive, said: “Clare, Jared, Kelly and Tracey have each exhibited the characteristics that embody a Nuffield scholar and ambassador for NZ food and fibre. We know they will all make a positive impact, one disproportionate to their number.”Introducing the 2026 Nuffield New Zealand Farming Scholars: • Clare Bradley, CEO AgriSea, Bay of Plenty Bradley is based in Paeroa with her children and husband, AgriSea chief innovation officer Tane. AgriSea CEO Bradley leads a 30-strong team pioneering seaweed-based bio-stimulants, animal health supplements, and high-value hydrogels for agriculture and biotechnology. She is a leading advocate for the sustainable growth of Aotearoa’s seaweed sector. Guided by appreciation & respect for the marine environment, she has championed innovation that protects New Zealand’s underwater forests while creating economic, environmental, and cultural value. As the founding chair of the Aotearoa New Zealand Seaweed Association, and Rere ki Uta, Rere ki tai, Bradley is driving collaboration between Western science and mātauranga Māori to build a trusted, sustainable sector. Under her leadership, AgriSea promotes local empowerment, zero-waste production, and circular economy principles. Known for her environmental vision, Bradley continues to shape New Zealand’s emerging blue economy, turning the country’s rich marine biodiversity into a model of innovation and guardianship. Her Nuffield research is likely to explore the economic, environmental, and logistical viability of smaller, decentralised processing hubs and whether they can create local jobs, strengthen value chains, and enhance commercial resilience. • Jared Clarke, farmer, Canterbury Clarke is a Canterbury dairy farmer with a strong record of performance, innovation and team development. He is a Lincoln University B Ag Sci (Hons) graduate. From 2017 to 2022, Clarke and his wife Victoria operated Two Rivers Ltd, a 50/50 sharemilking business milking 2000 cows. In 2022, they formed an equity partnership and purchased Mount Rivers Ltd, a 1000-cow irrigated dairy farm supplying A2 milk to Synlait. Under their leadership, the business has delivered high returns, sustainability initiatives and strong team retention. Clarke believes that “turning sunlight into food is a noble task”. Known for his ability to ignore constraints, he enjoys helping fellow farmers where he can on performance, people and innovation. Off-farm, his governance work includes being director of Barrhill Chertsey Ltd, a member of the Canterbury Farm Business Group, and a former member of LIC’s Shareholder Reference Group. Clarke is interested (and passionate) about the potential for a reduced reliance on imported energy, both on-farm and at a national level, and his Nuffield research is likely to be on the generation and storage of energy. • Kelly Heckler, farmer, community leader, central OtagoHeckler and her family farm Lauder Creek, a high-country sheep and beef property in the Manuherekia catchment of central Otago.Heckler is a values-driven leader and advocate for sustainable food and fibre production, recognised for her commitment to intergenerational resilience in New Zealand’s primary industries. As chair of Otago Water Resource Users Group, Heckler led the organisation through a major transformation, restructuring it into a formal incorporated society to improve accountability and adaptability. “Real impact doesn’t always come with grand gestures … it’s often about steady progress behind the scenes,” Heckler said. Her leadership philosophy centres on authenticity and collaboration. Her experience navigating policy reform and community engagement has deepened her understanding of the challenges facing rural New Zealand. Heckler aims to build a resilient, intergenerational farming business and advance innovative farm-planning solutions that support people and environment. She sees the future of agriculture as one built on integrity, communication, and shared purpose. “When we bring people together behind a common vision, we can shape a thriving, sustainable future for generations to come,” Heckler said. She is exploring research in freshwater management with specific focus on water allocation in overallocated catchments. • Tracey Perkins – farmer, sustainable land and water management adviser, founder of AgriThrive Perkins is a Canterbury-based dairy farmer, facilitator, and sustainable land and water management adviser who combines hands-on agricultural experience with a deep commitment to helping rural communities thrive. Living in Darfield on a 1050-cow dairy farm with her partner Jonny and their three children, Perkins balances family life with leadership in sustainable land use and rural development. Of Ngā Puhi and Raukawa descent, she brings both cultural grounding and practical expertise to her work. As the founder and lead facilitator of AgriThrive, she is the only agricultural facilitator in New Zealand using a trauma-informed, farmer-to-farmer approach. A graduate of the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, she has over a decade of professional experience in biosecurity and environmental sustainability. Perkins’ achievements include forming and guiding numerous Canterbury catchment and community groups, leading successful teams, and recently serving as campaign manager for Selwyn mayor Lydia Gliddon. She is passionate about empowering people to build resilient, solutions-focused communities. Whether through AgriThrive, local schools, or industry leadership, she champions collaboration, sustainability, and the belief that lasting change starts with people. Perkins intends to explore The Third Model, an approach integrating Indigenous stewardship principles with the operational and economic realities of intensive agriculture to create a sustainable foundation for New Zealand’s future. For more information about the Nuffield New Zealand Farming Scholarships visit here.
