The 2026 Central Plateau Share Farmers of the Year are Navdeep Singh and Jobanpreet Kaur, while the Dairy Manager of the Year is Abhishek Sharma and the Dairy Trainee is Claire Swindells.
The titles were announced at the 2026 Central Plateau Dairy Industry Awards annual dinner held at Te Puia in Rotorua on Thursday evening.
Navdeep Singh and Jobanpreet Kaur are 25 per cent sharemilking and 75 per cent contract milking for Mark and Donna Keaney, milking 1230 cows on 391ha.
After placing runner-up in the competition last year, the couple, both 31 years old, wanted to give it another crack and continue to benchmark themselves against the best in the industry.
“We see ourselves building a top 20 per cent genetic herd, and our goal is to be farm owners who lead by example, who run a sustainable farm and contribute to the industry and the community.
“We are not working for today – we are building the future. During hard times discipline and purpose drive us,” they said.
The couple are proud to be lifting farm productivity while building a strong and reliable team culture.
The couple won a $14,900 prize package along with pocketing five merit awards on the evening.
Runner-up in the Central Plateau Share Farmer of the Year category Vick Singh, also won $8,465 and two merit awards.
Vick is contract milking for Colin Armer at Marotiri, milking 1197 cows on 406ha.
It is the first time the 31-year-old has entered the Dairy Industry Awards as typically he goes home to India in February and March, during the judging of the awards.
Vick is buying properties and rearing his own heifers to build enough equity for farm ownership in the future.
“The dairy industry gives me a fabulous life,” he said. “I want to keep achieving my goals and pass the skills onto the next generation.”
Third placegetters Benjamin and Sherie Hayes took home $6,090 in prizes and one merit award.
The couple are 50/50 sharemilking 350 cows for Gavin Dempsey on the 144ha MF & CB Dempsey Trust Partnership farm at Kakahi.
Central Plateau Dairy Manager of the Year for 2026 Abhishek Sharma won $8,965 in prizes including three merit awards on Thursday evening.
Abhishek, 28, is farm manager for Pāmu Landcorp Farming Ltd at the Halls Dairy Unit at Wairākei, milking 620 cows on 267ha.
He has been in New Zealand since 2017 and has worked his way up through various management roles on dairy farms, while completing the Level 4 New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture through Primary ITO.
In his current role he manages three to four staff members.
“I chose farming because I was drawn to the responsibility, and independence for growth that the dairy industry offers. I enjoy leading a team, setting standards, and creating a strong farm culture where everyone is working toward the same goals.”
Dairy Manager runner-up Javahn Christie walked away with $4,140 in prizes including one merit award.
Javahn, 23, is farm manager for Weren Farms Ltd, milking 505 cows on 175ha in Reporoa.
This is his first year competing in awards. Despite spending time building and sheep and beef farming, his dream was always dairy farming and he hopes to get to farm ownership.
“The strive to be better than I was the day before pushes me every day.”
Third placegetter Shaun Braithwaite, a 32-year-old farm manager, milks 500 cows on 193ha for Andrew, Joanne and Maurice Bryant at Atiamuri.
He won $3,065 in prizes along with one merit award.
Central Plateau Dairy Trainee of the Year for 2026 Claire Swindells (21) is a farm assistant for Reece and Alex Pearce on Robin Broderson’s 151ha farm at Reporoa, milking 350 cows.
After starting at Victoria University studying economics, Claire soon realised sitting at a desk wasn’t her thing.
“I moved to Taupo to be closer to my parents and got a job relief milking at Pāmu and I fell in love with farming.
“My favourite things are tractor driving and managing stock health. I see myself fitting in the industry as a practical, performance-focused farmer who contributes to efficient farm systems.”
Claire won $6,490 in prizes along with one merit award.
Runner-up dairy trainee Mitchell Julian (26) who won $1,990 and two merit awards is farm assistant for Keith and Wendy Lambeth, milking 460 cows on their 190ha farm at Atiamuri.
Mitchell qualified as a heavy diesel mechanic but realised he didn’t want to do that for the next 20-plus years. He was working as a mechanic and doing part-time work on a dairy farm and decided to jump across full-time.
He’s excited about a future in an industry that offers opportunities to progress and a strong community which is willing to help when needed.
Third placegetter Terry Gielen (24) is a 2IC from Tokoroa, milking 483 cows on 200ha on Chris and Matt Luxford’s farm.
Terry is studying through Primary ITO and wants to continue working through the courses and work toward managing a 250-cow farm.
The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors ASB, CowManager, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Honda, LIC, Power Farming and Trelleborg, along with industry partners Fonterra, DairyNZ, and The Country.
The Central Plateau Dairy Industry Awards Field Day will be held on March 31, 10.30 am at 200 Nicholson Road, Atiamuri, Rotorua, 3077, Fonterra S/N 78677.
Further details on the winners and the Field Day can be found at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz
Results of the 2026 Central Plateau Dairy Industry Awards:
2026 Central Plateau Share Farmer of the Year
Winner – Navdeep Singh & Jobanpreet Kaur
Runner-Up – Vick Singh
Third – Benjamin & Sherie Hayes
2026 Central Plateau Dairy Manager of the Year
Winner – Abhishek Sharma
Runner-Up – Javahn Christie
Third – Shaun Braithwaite
2026 Central Plateau Dairy Trainee of the Year
Winner – Claire Swindells
Runner-Up – Mitchell Julian
Third – Terry Gielen
Share Farmer Merit Awards:
DairyNZ - People & Culture Award: Vick Singh
Ecolab Total Farm Hygiene & Innovation Award: Navdeep Singh & Jobanpreet Kaur
Federated Farmers Leadership Award: Navdeep Singh & Jobanpreet Kaur
Honda Farm Safety, Health & Biosecurity Award: Benjamin & Sherie Hayes
LIC - Animal Wellbeing, Recording and Productivity Award: Navdeep Singh & Jobanpreet Kaur
Dickie Direct Environmental Sustainability Award: Navdeep Singh & Jobanpreet Kaur
Trelleborg Sustainable Pasture Award: Vick Singh
ASB Business Performance Award: Navdeep Singh & Jobanpreet Kaur
CTL Transport/Eco Gas Emerging Talent Award: Ricky McCarthy
Dairy Manager Merit Awards:
CowManager Livestock Management Award: Heidi Tarbotton
Fonterra Dairy Management Award: Abhishek Sharma
DeLaval Pasture & Feed Management Award: Shaun Braithwaite
MPI Sustainable Farming - Environmental Award: Abhishek Sharma
Dairy Training Limited People & Leadership Award: Javahn Christie
Strettons & Co Ltd Personal Planning & Financial Management Award: Abhishek Sharma
Pāmu Emerging Talent Award: Leon Berry
Dairy Trainee Merit Awards:
DairyNZ Practical Skills Award: Mitchell Julian
Perrin Ag Consultant Emerging Talent Award: Elise Powell
Vetora B.O.P Farming Knowledge Award: Claire Swindells
Blackman Spargo Rural Law Ltd Communication & Industry Involvement Award: Mitchell Julian
