- News from Lincoln University –
Lincoln University’s annual Food and Fibre Awards celebrated its top-performing students and introduced them to key figures in the industry, creating connections that could kickstart their careers.
The popular industry event features a networking hour, dining service, a panel of guest speakers and the awards ceremony.
Each year businesses and organisations sponsor the event and run a stand during the networking hour, inviting students to connect and learn about future career opportunities within the sector. This year so many businesses inquired about sponsorship that a cap of 25 had to be put in place to ensure the event kept its personal feel.
Industry guests shared dining tables with students, providing the opportunity for professionals and students to get to know each other on a more personal level. Many guests were Lincoln alumni and relished the chance to interact with students doing their old courses.
Many Lincoln students begin their careers using connections they make at this event and others like it.
Stu Hunter is an Extension Agronomist at PGG Wrightson Seeds. He went straight into a graduate position at the company after graduating from Lincoln in 2020. This was his fourth Food and Fibre event as a guest.
“We have a lot of summer interns coming to work for us from Lincoln,” he said.
“This is a great opportunity to expose students to what opportunities there are within the business.
“At the first Food and Fibre awards that I attended we got talking to a postgrad student. Our conversations over dinner led to her getting a job with us. She’s now a very good grass plant reader. It’s been really beneficial for both us and her.”
Demelza Dalglish, one of the guest speakers, was a Lincoln graduate who went straight into a career at Ravensdown thanks to the connections she made as a student.
“It was actually an event just like this. The head of the Ravensdown graduate programme was here with a crowd of people around him.
“I thought ‘I haven’t got his attention enough’, so I grabbed his business card and called him the next day. We went and had coffee and sealed the deal. I got a job.”
After the networking hour guests were invited to their seats for proceedings.
Vice Chancellor Grant Edwards acknowledged the importance of the recent government announcement that a ‘Food and Fibre Systems’ subject would be added to the secondary school curriculum from 2029.
“This move recognises the critical importance of the food and fibre sector to the future prosperity and resilience of Aotearoa New Zealand and the essential role skilled graduates will play in developing successful food and fibre industries.
“Through our world-leading education and research programmes, and our skilled and passionate graduates, Lincoln University is focused on contributing to the futureproofing of food and land systems in New Zealand and globally and delivering direct real-world impact to food and fibre sectors.
“Tonight’s award winners will provide compelling evidence of that.”
Selwyn Mayor Lydia Gliddon said we often hear about the big picture of the food and fibre industry, but it was important to recognise the people behind it as well.
“It’s our farmers, our growers, the businesses, families and communities who make the sector what it is. It’s something I’m really proud of.”
Following speeches Demelza was invited on stage alongside Zentera Head of Commercial Operations Jack Ternouth for the panel discussion. Jack shared the story of how he got hired thanks to a phone call.
“I think in a world of AI, one thing people will continue to hire on is human connection. You don’t necessarily get that just from a CV.”
Following dinner, which was made using ingredients donated by our sponsors, the awards ceremony began. Eight awards were given to Agriculture and Life Sciences students and ten to Agribusiness and Commerce students.
Agriculture and Life Sciences award winners
Matilda Paterson — Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology (1st year) Top Student
Heng-Tzu Chang — Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology (2nd year) Top Student
Riley King — Bachelor of Science (1st year) Top Student
Coral Peat — Bachelor of Science (2nd year) Top Student
Ella Hole — Bachelor of Agricultural Science (1st year) Top Student
Anikah Moody — Bachelor of Agricultural Science (2nd year) Top Student
Ciara Hegan — Bachelor of Agricultural Science (3rd year) Top Student
Anikah Moody — Agriculture and Life Sciences Student of the Year 2025
Agribusiness and Commerce award Winners
Phoebe Butler — Bachelor of Agribusiness and Food Marketing (1st year) Top Student
Tsuzumi Higuchi — Bachelor of Agribusiness and Food Marketing (2nd year) Top Student
Jack Foster — Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) (1st year) Top Student
Cameron Brans — Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) (2nd year) Top Student
Jayden King — Bachelor of Land and Property Management (1st year) Top Student
Matthew Hale — Bachelor of Land and Property Management (2nd year) Top Student
Caleb Johnson — Bachelor of Land and Property Management (3rd year) Top Student
William Phillips — Bachelor of Commerce (Horticulture) (1st year) Top Student
Alex Stead — Bachelor of Commerce (Horticulture) (2nd year) Top Student
Tsuzumi Higuchi — Agribuisness and Commerce Student of the Year 2025
Food and Fibre Awards 2026 Sponsors
AgFirst, Agricom, AgriMagic, ANZ, ANZCO, Ballance, Barenbrug, Bioeconomy Science Institute, Catalyst Performance Agronomy, Dairy Holdings Ltd, FAR, Farmlands, Grassroots Dairy Management, Kuehne+Nagel, LIC, Macfarlane Rural Business, MPI On Farm, Perrin Ag, PGG Wrightson Seeds, PGG Wrightson, Rabobank, Ravensdown, Rossendale, RuralCo, and UPL.
Source: Lincoln University
