Federated Farmers Podcast

In this episode, we’re joined by Waikato dairy farmer Carla de Wet, who shares an honest look at building a career in farming as a young woman today.
Originally from South Africa, Carla talks about her journey to New Zealand just before Covid, settling into rural life, and finding her place in a family dairy business. As former chair of the Morrinsville–Ngarua Young Farmers club, she reflects on leadership, confidence, and the value of getting involved beyond the farm gate.
Being relatively new to this country, she has some really interesting perspectives on our farming systems, the role farmers play, and the access we have to politicians. 
We also explore what’s motivating young farmers right now — and what’s worrying them — from wellbeing and workload to major changes like KiwiSaver access.

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Siermans, the new CEO of Federated Farmers, to talk about what’s next for the organisation and for farmers.
Mike shares his journey from growing up around farming in rural South Auckland to a commercial career in the pharmaceuticals industry — including helping launch Viagra in New Zealand — and why he’s now taken on one of the most influential roles in rural New Zealand.
We discuss the challenges and opportunities facing farmers, how Federated Farmers can strengthen its advocacy, and how to modernise a 125-year-old organisation while staying true to its roots.

This is the first episode in a new series where we sit down with good keen Kiwi farmers and simply have a chat – how they got into farming, what drives them, and what they’ve learned along the way. We’ll release one each month. 
For our first ‘Meet the farmer’, we’re joined by Jimmy Emmett, a South Canterbury dairy farmer who took an unconventional path into the industry. 
A self-confessed city boy, Jimmy swapped hospitality management for contract milking 17 years ago and hasn’t looked back. He’s now the South Canterbury dairy chair for Federated Farmers, was named Dairy Advocate of the Year in 2025, and before all that, was running a popular bar in downtown Christchurch.

He’s the most recognisable voice in rural New Zealand but you’ll usually hear The Country host Jamie Mackay asking the questions rather than answering them. 
In this episode, Jamie sits on the other side of the mic to reflect on his early farming career, the twists and turns that led him into broadcasting, and how a rugby-mad bloke from Southland ended up shaping national conversations from the studio and the showgrounds.
He shares some of the stories he’s collected along the way, including his favourite guests over the years, some forgettable moments, that infamous ‘red shirt’ moment with John Key, and meeting Helen Clark after a big night out with the Mad Butcher.
Beyond the laughs, Jamie also opens up about the causes close to his heart, why he’s never been afraid to say what he thinks, and what motivates him to keep standing up for rural communities.
Honest, funny and full of insight – this is Jamie Mackay, unfiltered.

What actually happens to wool after it leaves the sheep’s back? 
In this episode, Breanna Hayes, supply growth manager at The New Zealand Merino Company, and Nathan Watt, trading manager at New Zealand Wool Services International, explain how the wool industry works, why strong wool in particular faces challenges, and what farmers can do to improve outcomes. 
They unpack who the players are in the supply chain, share insights on the future of wool, and discuss why they're feeling confident that wool prices will continue to lift. 
Useful links
New Zealand Wool Services International
The New Zealand Merino Company