Talking Dairy

Earlier this year, Hinehou Timutimu was named the 2026 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year and became the first Māori woman to receive the award. But this episode is about more than an award. It is about the whānau, whenua, values and experiences that shaped her, the doors that were opened for her, and the doors she now wants to open for others. With Brooke Sinclair and Jac McGowan, she reflects on leadership, belonging, courage and what becomes possible when you stay true to who you are.
Watch more:
Te Karere 
Pūkāea 
Read more:
Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year 2026 Announced - Dairy Women's Network
New Zealand Farm Environment Trust – Hinehou as a 2023 finalist
Te Tawa Kaiti Lands Trust – Learn about the trust Hinehou leads as General Manager and its work.
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

Waiuku dairy farmer, and Dairy Environment Leader, Stu Muir has spent years restoring waterways, protecting the land and helping reconnect people with the Lower Waikato River Delta.
In this episode of Talking Dairy In 10, Stu shares what inspired him to take action on his farm and across the Mangati Stream catchment, where once degraded, weed-choked waterways are now thriving ecosystems.
Stu was recently recognised with the first Kaitiaki Award at the Dairy Environment Leaders Forum, honouring his commitment to environmental restoration, kaitiakitanga and community leadership.
Hear how Stu’s practical, persistent approach has helped restore waterways, open up a public walkway and build momentum for positive change through the Dairy Environment Leaders network.
Are you ready to be a Dairy Environment Leader? Find out more.
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

The weeks around calving can have a big influence on cow health, production and reproductive performance. In this episode, DairyNZ scientist Dr Stacey Hendriks and dairy cattle vet Ryan Luckman discuss the latest advice on transition cow care, including DairyNZ’s updated feeding guidance for springers at target body condition score. 
They also look at the role of rumination data and wearables — what they can show you, where their limits are, and how they can support better decisions when used alongside good feed management, stockmanship and knowledge of your own herd. 
Read more: Transition cows | DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

Are you thinking about what’s next for you or your farm business? 
Planning the next stage in dairy farming is unique to you. Honest conversations and the right tools can bring clarity and arm you with the confidence to move forward. 
In this episode, high-performance coach and People Expo 2026 headline speaker James Laughlin shares a preview of what he’ll cover at this year’s events. He talks about what can hold us back, how to work through it, and how high-performance leadership can help transform your life and business.
He also touches on what holds us back and practical ways to manage this – a snapshot of what he’ll be sharing at the event.
If you’re a farm owner, farm manager, contract milker, sharemilker or equity partner, join us at People Expo to explore your next stage and how to get there.
Find out more and register here.
 People Expo 2026 locations and dates:
Palmerston North - Tuesday 16 June, 10.30am-2.30pm
Te Awamutu - Thursday 18 June, 10.30am-2.30pm
Invercargill - Tuesday 30 June, 12.00pm-4.00pm
Dunsandel - Thursday 2 July, 12.00pm-4.00pm
Hosted by DairyNZ and Dairy Women's Network
Find out more about James Laughlin
Check out to James’ podcast – Habits of High Performers
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

Are you feeding your calves enough to unlock their full potential?
In this episode, you’ll hear what the latest research says about early calf nutrition, and why feeding more milk before weaning can help your heifers hit growth targets sooner and produce more milk later. 
You’ll also hear from Canterbury farmer Cam Henderson, who’s made the shift to ad-lib feeding. He shares what’s changed, what surprised him, and how the costs stacked up. 
But this isn’t just about ad-lib systems. DairyNZ’s senior animal care specialist Penny Timmer-Arends shares other feeding approaches that achieve similar results. She discusses the principles behind calf growth, and how to weigh up the trade-offs and choose what fits your farm. You’ll also hear about the risks and how to manage them.
Download the Calf Rearing guide
Feeding milk to calves | DairyNZ
Read more:
‘Feeding more often feels natural and important to me’ | DairyNZ
Good as gold: the calves who feed themselves | DairyNZ
Laying the right foundation | DairyNZ
Inside Dairy - More milk, healthier calves, stronger heifers | DairyNZ 
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected