Jack Raharuhi

Jack is the Business Manager for Pāmu Farms on the West Coast of the South island. Jack was the winner of the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer of the Year Award in 2016 and winner of the Dairy Manager of the Year for the West Coast Top of The South in 2017.

In his current role at Pāmu he oversees 3 dairy farms, a Dairy Support farm, a large livestock property and a machinery syndicate at Cape Foulwind.

Jack has a passion for developing, coaching, and mentoring the next generation of leaders to enhance business performance. He’s heavily involved with training and mentoring staff as part of his leadership role.

Team Culture and Health and Safety on Farm is what gets Jack out of bed every day and contributes nationally where he can, has served as a director for Safer Farms for two years, and held governance roles in Agriculture to encourage making a difference for the next generation in our sector.

Jack’s leadership journey started out in a less conventional way than many, describing his teenage years as “a dark time” in his life, where he surrounded himself around the wrong people and made plenty of bad decisions along the way. However, he’s been able to draw on these experiences to inspire his peers, encouraging them to believe in themselves and their aspirations.

He also gives back to the community wherever he can, co-ordinating the Gateway Programme through Buller High School, and providing work experience for students who seek a career in agriculture or want to get into the routine of the workforce.

Jack is a proud West Coaster, a family man and gets out surfing when he can and does his bit for the #westcoastbestcoast.

"The people I have met through the award, the relationships formed, the exposure I have received as part of my mentoring trips has been nothing short of incredible. The award has given me the skills to grow, increase my confidence, and it is fantastic having the ongoing support."