For more than 20 years Justine Kidd, who lives in Takapau, has contributed widely to New Zealand's dairy industry and these efforts along with her services to equestrian sport have seen her named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Ms Kidd's work has traversed farm business consulting, farm ownership and property development, dairy production research, corporate farming leadership and governance.
In Central Hawke's Bay she spent eight years with BEL Group Dairy Farming, as chief executive leading the business that milks 9,500 cows and employs 65 people, following the death of owner Peter Barry.
She stepped down in June this year, and among other roles, she now operates her own business, Kitahi, aimed at investigating opportunities for farmers to get access to the market and for the value of the farmers' stories to be realised.
"It's a vehicle for me to look at partnerships, business models and opportunities for primary producers to get close to the market and grow product value."