“I did one paper and thought, ‘wow, how does anyone do more than one at a time?’.”
But the next semester, in true Jen-form, she tackled two, then three, and two children and nine years later she had her degree.
“You never know what you are capable of,” she says.
Jen finished in the top 5 percent of Massey University and received the top scholar award.
“It was a real honour.”
It’s not the only award she has won, having also received the Ted Delahunty Leadership Award in June 2020.
“That was a big one to win. It gave me the confidence that the industry saw me as a leader. It is amazing when you are acknowledged as a future leader.”
During cyclones Hale and Gabrielle, Rangatira Station was, like many others, hammered. They lost all their flat land, which had a domino effect on their stocking policies.
“All our plans were gone,” she said.
You can either let challenges defeat you 'or look for opportunities'
So, when Jen sits around a table with her farming clients, she understands how tough it is and the challenges and mental strain they are facing. There is another side to Jen that most of her clients also know — she is resilient. Almost three years ago, Jen and Shane lost their son Lucas in an accident on the farm.
“Losing Lucas has taught me a lot and I use that. I have learnt the hard way in my life,” says Jen.
“It is my journey.
“You can look at the challenges ahead which could bring you down or look at the opportunities those challenges bring and be creative about it.”
She is a ‘glass half-full’ person, and her vivacious bubbliness is contagious.
“I am passionate about my work — well, I don’t really see it as work most of the time,” she says.
“The buzz I get from helping my clients is no different from when I ride my own horse or go hunting with (11-year-old daughter) Emmy.”
She and Emmy were at the opening hunt of the season, that just happened to be on their station, and made all the more special because it was Emmy’s first.
Jen can’t wait to share the messaging she has brought home from the conference.
“Change is happening,” she says. “With that comes risk, but also opportunity. If we go into it with a positive mindset and jump on that opportunity, we will be streets ahead.”
But there are no rose-coloured glasses when she chats to clients.
“I genuinely get over-invested in my clients’ wellbeing, especially ones who are going through a tough time. I am there for them and I do understand the position.”
She knows to be effective she needs to be able to give clients the confronting news when needed.
“If I don’t, I am not putting their needs first, which is what accounting is all about. I have to make sure they have all the information — good or bad — otherwise I am not doing my job.”
Jen grew up in Wairoa with her “amazing” parents who bought their 600-hectare property during the Muldoon era.
“They worked hard. They had the farm and dad had a mechanic business to fix motor bikes and cars, that he did at night, and mum would nurse at the hospital as well as working on the farm. We all helped out on the farm.”
The kids would be hung in the covered yards in their jolly jumpers while their parents worked.
“I was obsessed with farming since then. It is kind of an addiction really. I love the fresh air, open spaces and the animals. They aren’t complicated.”
She contemplated farming but felt she would get more bang for her effort in becoming an accountant.
“I knew I could get more achieved.”
That entrenched love of agriculture and understanding of the industry drives her to help her clients in any way she can — little things like helping them understand annual accounts.
“My goal is to turn it into language they can absorb and understand because then they will get value from it.
“Helping them has to feel right for me . . . that’s my why,” says Jen, who has been with BDO for six-and-a-half years and was made an associate in January.
She gets some comfort that the cyclones hit on the back of a trifecta of positivity for farmers with a great market, good weather and low interest rates, meaning most were in good nick. But the damage is extensive, and she knows many are struggling as they make decisions around recovery. Post cyclone she is one of the founders of the Gisborne Tairāwhiti Farm Recovery Fund and BDO Gisborne have been strong advocates of ensuring their clients know where to apply for assistance and just what is available for them.
“If you look at the overall damage to farms, it is overwhelming, but if you take those small steps — track by track, you can get there.”
That’s how Jen operates — step by step. She lives in the moment with her husband Shane, who she calls her inspiration, her beloved daughters Emmy and 18-month-old Kenzie, without forgetting her journey and those who have made it.
