Mussel-ing into the top spot

The coveted Zanda McDonald Award has named its 2025 winners, recognising two exceptional young leaders from the trans-Tasman primary sector.

Maegen Blom.

Australian Jack O’Connor and New Zealander Maegen Blom have taken out the top honours, marking a significant milestone for the award.

In a first, one of the recipients – Blom – represents the aquaculture industry.

The 24-year-old is operations manager at family-owned business Mills Bay Mussels in Marlborough, supplying restaurants, wholesalers and supermarkets across New Zealand with their Greenshell Mussels.

Blom is also a founding member of Young Fish NZ, which connects young professionals in the seafood industry.

Zanda Award chairman Shane McManaway has praised both winners for their exceptional achievements and the impact they are already making in their respective industries on either side of the Tasman.

"Both Jack and Maegen are incredibly focused, passionate, and driven to create meaningful change in their sectors. Maegen’s leadership in a male-dominated industry is outstanding, and Jack’s holistic approach to integrating innovative practices on his farm demonstrates his forward-thinking mindset," he says.

O’Connor and Blom were selected from an impressive pool of finalists, including Wellington sheep and beef farmer Hamish Best, and Sarah How, co-founder and general manager of Landify in South Canterbury.