Proud to leave FF stronger than he found it

Long-serving Federated Farmers chief executive Terry Copeland has stepped down from his role at the end of June.

Terry Copeland

"Terry has been the leader we needed in a crisis.

“He was the man who kept us together through the toughest times, through the Mycoplasma bovis incursion and then COVID-19, through droughts, fires and disastrous floods," Federated Farmers national president Wayne Langford says.

"Terry's seven years with Feds has also been marked by unprecedented political and advocacy challenges for our members. His cool head in times of need was hugely beneficial for the organisation."

There are a couple of key achievements to highlight during his time at Federated Farmers.

Copeland was responsible for setting up the highly successful Primary Industries NZ Summit and Awards, now into its seventh year, attracting over 600 delegates annually.

Continual business improvement is another legacy from his time leading the organisation.

"His championing and overseeing the investment into better processes and systems across finance, information technology, human resources and project management will ensure the great advocacy and policy work Federated Farmers does is supported by a well-functioning machine," Langford says.

Copeland says it is time for a new person to lead the membership organisation, and he's proud to be leaving the influential association stronger than he found it.

"Federated Farmers is a terrific organisation to have been a part of. I have been able to contribute to the powerhouse of NZ's economy - the primary sector - and it has been an honour to work with some of NZ's best farmers.”