2025 Zanda McDonald Award Celebrates Innovators in Aquaculture and Agriculture

Highlighting the progress of young leaders in the primary industries, the Zanda McDonald Award has announced its 2025 winners.

This year, Maegen Blom from New Zealand and Jack O’Connor from Australia stood out for innovative work in their fields. Notably, Maegen Blom is the first winner from the aquaculture industry.

Maegen Blom

At just 24, is making significant strides in the seafood industry as the Operations Manager at Mills Bay Mussels. Beyond her management duties, she is a Young Fish NZ founding member. This organisation connects young professionals in the seafood industry, fostering a collaborative future for the sector. Her pioneering efforts in aquaculture have set a precedent within this traditionally underrepresented area in the award’s history.

Jack O’Connor

Jack O’Connor, 32, manages general agribusiness, livestock, administration, and cropping at Oxton Park, a diversified farming operation renowned for its wool and prime lamb production. His forward thinking approach to integrating sustainable practices such as renewable energy, agrivoltaics, and carbon accounting is redefining standards in agricultural operations across the Tasman.

The Zanda McDonald Award provides a vital platform for individuals like Maegen and Jack to accelerate their careers significantly. The award offers bespoke educational and mentoring opportunities that cater to their personal and professional growth.

Conrad Wilkshire, Rural GM at Property Brokers, underscores the award’s role in cultivating future agricultural leaders.

“By supporting the Zanda McDonald Award, we at Property Brokers are investing in the next generation of leaders who will drive innovation in agriculture,” Wilkshire stated. “Maegen’s groundbreaking work in aquaculture and Jack’s sustainable practices showcase the dynamic future of our agricultural sectors in New Zealand and Australia.”

The winners were selected from a strong pool of finalists, each of whom has contributed notably to their fields:

• Will Creek, 35, General Manager – Primary Production at Arubial, Condamine, Queensland 
• Felicity Taylor, 29, Area Manager at Rabobank, Moree, Country NSW 
• Hamish Best, 34, Sheep and Beef Farmer & Founder of Conscious Valley, Wellington 
• Sarah How, 33, Co-founder & General Manager of Landify Ltd, South Canterbury

Shane McManaway, Chairman of the Award, commended both winners for their impressive achievements. “Their commitment and vision distinguish them as remarkable talents, and we’re excited to have them join the award family,” McManaway commented.

Although initially scheduled for announcement at the annual Impact Summit on the Gold Coast, the winners were instead revealed online due to disruptions from Cyclone Alfred.

Despite the change in plans, the recognition of these young leaders’ achievements continues to inspire and signal a vibrant future for the primary industries across New Zealand and Australia.

Do you know an aspiring leader?

Help them take their career to new heights by encouraging them to apply for the 2026 Zanda McDonald Award.

Register your interest, or nominate someone!

www.zandamcdonaldaward.com

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