Rural Directions Hawke’s Bay Shepherd of the Year Award 2026

Rural Directions is proud to sponsor the Rural Directions Hawke’s Bay Shepherd of the Year Award, now in its eighth year of recognising emerging talent within the primary sector. The award continues to highlight the strength, capability, and professionalism of young shepherds across the region, while providing an important platform to showcase future farming leaders.

This year’s entrants demonstrated an exceptionally high calibre, with a strong commitment to personal development, farm performance, and the wider primary sector. Across the board, the standard was consistently impressive, and all participants should be proud of what they achieved throughout the process.

At Rural Directions, we believe today’s shepherds are tomorrow’s farm managers and industry leaders. It is important that their contribution to the primary sector is recognised and celebrated, along with the skill and responsibility the role demands.

We are pleased to announce that the winner of the 2026 Rural Directions Hawke’s Bay Shepherd of the Year Award is Conor Thorburn from Taurapa Station, part of Ocean Beach Partnership.

Conor demonstrated exceptional maturity, professionalism, and leadership throughout the judging process. He showed a strong understanding of stocking policies and farm systems, combining practical ability with strategic thinking. His impressive dog handling, calm manner under pressure, and contribution to working on a complex 1,900-hectare operation highlighted both his capability and initiative. Conor also stood out for his teamwork, and humble yet confident approach, making him a highly deserving recipient of this year’s award.

We would also like to acknowledge some of the outstanding strengths shown by this year’s finalists:

• Excellence in Dog Training, Handling and Stockmanship – Cole Price
• Excellence in Administration and Professionalism – Conor Thorburn
• Excellence in Property Stewardship – Matthew Maxwell