Bruce Wills: Thank you and goodbye

Bruce Wills, President

After three years at the helm of Federated Farmers, Bruce Wills reflects on what he's learnt during his time as national president.

I will miss the cut and thrust of farmer politics and I will miss working with our staff, our many farmer representatives around the country and all the various industry, environmental and Government groups I have worked so closely with.

My time as national president of Federated Farmers comes to an end on July 4, so this will be my last editorial comment for the National Farming Review.

It has been an absolute privilege to represent New Zealand farmers on a multitude of issues over the past three years. I will miss the cut and thrust of farmer politics and I will miss working with our staff, our many farmer representatives around the country and all the various industry, environmental and Government groups I have worked so closely with.

When my phone goes quiet and the emails dive on July 5, I will no doubt wonder what has hit me, but I am looking forward to getting back to more farming.

Federated Farmers is in great heart and I know even better people will step in when I retire to the hills of Napier. As well as a new president, there will be two new board members elected on July 4.

The upcoming AGM will also be Conor's last as chief executive after six years heading Federated Farmers. The AGM will also be an opportunity for many people to meet Conor's replacement, Graham Smith.

Graham is an experienced chief executive with his latest role being the chief executive of the Institute of Environmental Science & Research -- a Crown Research Institute providing science advice and services.

Graham is Australian by birth and holds an MBA from the University of South Australia and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Adelaide.

I have worked closely with Conor for six years and Federated Farmers and the agriculture sector owes him a huge debt of gratitude.

Graham will be a very worthy replacement and I look forward to him and the new board continuing the very valuable work that Federated Farmers does for New Zealand farmers and the wider economy.

What I have learnt in the last three years is that we are all utterly dependent on agriculture's continued success to keep New Zealand a first world economy.

I have learnt that farming needs a strong, respected voice in Wellington ensuring policy outcomes are both sensible and workable.

I have learnt that politics matters, that getting the balance between the economy and the environment is not easy and that you have to be in the black to be green.

I have enjoyed an international component, which gives valuable insight into our country through the eyes of others. We are seen as some of the best farmers on the planet, others marvel at our productivity, our natural beauty and our water.

Of late, they marvel at our exponential growth in trade with China. There are, however, a few areas where we lag; we need to store more water and keep pushing harder on science and innovation.

We also need to ensure we continue to grow agriculture and take very good care of our environment. Being clean and green is important but, as a country, we also need to pay our way in more competitive world.