Conor English: Goodbye, for now

Conor English, Chief executive

This is my last column in National Farming Review as chief executive of Federated Farmers of New Zealand. I have spent almost 10 years of my life, in two stints, at Federated Farmers. Firstly in the 1990s as a policy analyst and then over the last six years as chief executive.

It has been an honour and a privilege to lead Federated Farmers in my capacity as chief executive. As an organisation we to seek to influence decision-makers at international, national, regional and sector levels so we can have more profitable and sustainable farming.

This is not only important for farmers, but for rural communities and the rest of New Zealand.

For those who may not have noticed, the agricultural sector and our rural families contribute much, not only to our social, economic and environmental fabric and success, but also to our identity as a nation.

Along with our Maori culture, it is our rural authenticity, ingenuity and success that stand us apart from other countries.

When advertisers project the "real Kiwi" they use rural images and weather-beaten faces, not ballet dancers in Auckland.

Federated Farmers is about a big team effort. I have many people to thank who have made big contributions over my time here. It is always risky naming people as inevitably someone is missed, so to all those who know they deserve thanks -- thank you.

However, I would like to particularly note the excellent, professional hard-working Federated Farmers' staff. They are a great bunch of people who are passionate about our industry and about doing an excellent, professional job for farmers, rural communities and New Zealand.

Our elected farmers and other volunteers involved in the organisation from one end of the country to the other make a critical contribution. Without farmer participation Federated Farmers is nothing.

My view has always been that we have a very good model, with a "one-two punch" -- real farmers who have their hands in the soil alongside professional, competent people.

This combination is what makes us a pretty potent force, where it matters, when we deal with around 300 to 500 issues at any one time.

And of course there are our magnificent farmers and their families. New Zealand is fortunate to have such dedicated, smart, hard-working and innovative people.

Finally, I want to acknowledge and thank the two presidents and various board members with whom I have worked. They make a huge contribution.

We don't always get it right, nor do we always achieve what we seek to, however it is not for lack of trying.

Federated Farmers has a big heart and its heart is in rural New Zealand. I am proud to have spent my last six years here as chief executive and I wish the organisation, its new president and new chief executive continued success. I am sure they will continue a legacy of representation that has now spanned more than 100 years.

As Shane Jones said, "that's me, I'm out".