Zanda McDonald Award 2026 celebrates future rural leaders
The future of agriculture is not something we wait for. It is something we actively build. That is why initiatives like the Zanda McDonald Award matter. They recognise not just achievement, but potential. And more importantly, they provide the support, connections, and opportunities needed to turn that potential into lasting impact.
We were proud to attend the Zanda McDonald Award Celebration Dinner in Christchurch, celebrating a new generation of leaders shaping the future of agriculture across New Zealand and Australia.
This year’s recipients represent the depth of talent emerging across the primary industries. New Zealand winner Karn Dhaliwal of Waikato exemplifies the ambition and innovation driving the sector forward. Through his entrepreneurial approach to horticulture and cropping, Karn has built a diverse and future-focused business, while creating opportunities for others coming through the industry.
His leadership reflects what we are seeing more broadly across regional New Zealand. A willingness to adapt. A focus on growth. And a commitment to building something that extends beyond individual success.
Alongside Karn, Australian recipient Bryce Neyland brings a different but equally important perspective. As a civil engineer working across large-scale agricultural developments, Bryce combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of the land. Together, they represent a generation that is not just responding to change, but actively driving it.
What sets the Zanda McDonald Award apart is the opportunity it creates. Selected from a strong pool of finalists across both countries, recipients gain access to a tailored professional development programme. This includes international mentoring, further training, and ongoing industry connections that continue well beyond the award itself.
It is this combination of recognition and real-world support that makes a lasting difference. Because leadership is not built overnight. It is developed over time, through experience, exposure, and the right networks.
At Property Brokers, we are passionate about backing people who are building the future of our industry. Supporting the Zanda McDonald Award is about more than celebrating success. It is about investing in the next generation of leaders who will strengthen and shape agriculture for years to come.
Across the clients and communities we work alongside every day, we see firsthand the importance of leadership. Not just in driving business performance, but in supporting people, creating opportunities, and building resilient rural communities. That is why this matters.
There is a clear shift happening across the rural sector. The next generation is stepping forward with a different mindset. One that embraces innovation, understands complexity, and is willing to challenge traditional approaches.
They are thinking bigger. Acting earlier. And building businesses that are designed for the future. The Zanda McDonald Award brings these individuals into focus. It highlights what is possible and sets a benchmark for what comes next.
Opportunities like this do not just benefit the individual. They lift the entire industry. If you know someone who is showing leadership, ambition, and a commitment to the future of agriculture, this is their opportunity to take the next step.
Encourage them to apply for the 2027 Zanda McDonald Award and be part of a programme that is helping shape the future of our sector.
The future of agriculture across New Zealand and Australia is in capable hands. Leaders like Karn Dhaliwal and Bryce Neyland are proof of that. But more than that, they are a reminder of what happens when talent is recognised, supported, and given the opportunity to grow.
Because when we invest in people, we invest in the future of our industry. And that is something worth backing.
