Two West Auckland siblings could come face-to-face in New Zealand's most prestigious farming competition. Photograph supplied
Two West Auckland siblings could come face-to-face in New Zealand's most prestigious farming competition.
Tim and Emma Dangen, former head boy and head girl at Massey High School, will vie for the top spot if they win their respective finals.
Tim Dangen has clinched a spot in the Northern Regional Final of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year in March.
The 25-year-old jointly owns a 105ha farm with his parents at Muriwai, West Auckland.
They also lease a 190ha property in the Kaipara Hills.
"We rear about 550 Friesian-Hereford cross calves each spring, which we sell at various ages," he said.
Tim Dangen has four sisters.
One of them, Emma Dangen, is competing in the Taranaki/Manawatu Regional Final of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year.
It'll be the veterinary student's second attempt at winning.
"Tim was the one who really encouraged me to enter," said the 23-year-old.
"Competing in the grand final of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year has always been a dream of mine."
If the pair win their respective regional finals, they'd face off at the national final in Invercargill in July.
"I'd be a bit of fun," Tim Dangen said.
"Emma's a lot smarter than me, but I'm more practical than she is."
The competitive duo would take sibling rivalry to the next level.
"I'm a good all-rounder, but Emma's always been better than me at animal health," said Tim Dangen, a keen rugby player who attended Lincoln University on a Future Leader Scholarship, achieving a Bachelor of Commerce in agriculture.
Emma Dangen is in her final year studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at Massey University.
"I've been lucky enough to be supported through university with various undergraduate scholarships," she said.
Emma Dangen will learn her fate first at the Taranaki/Manawatu Regional Final in Wellington on February 24.
Her brother will clash with seven other contestants in the Northern Regional Final on March 17 in Kerikeri.
It's the 50th anniversary of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year which was first held in 1969.
The goods were stashed across lockups, homes, businesses and a shipping container.