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WORDS AND IMAGES BY ANNIE STUDHOLME

After serving on the Ruralco board since 2020, Banks Peninsula farmer and former politician Sir David Carter has taken over the Chair’s reins following previous Chair and Director Jessie Chan’s decision to stand down at November’s Annual General Meeting.
David brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role, with a passion and long-term commitment to agriculture. “I am honoured to be appointed by the Board to the Chair role.
I am committed to supporting our CEO and Executive team to continue the good work done to date by all our people and to keep challenging ourselves to deliver value for our
members,” says Sir David Carter.
Though city-born and bred, David developed a passion for farming during his teens. After studying at St Bede’s College, he completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Lincoln
University, graduating in 1973. After Lincoln, armed with a loan from his father and vendor finance, he started farming at West Melton, establishing New Zealand’s first commercial embryo transplant company to help introduce “exotic” cattle breeds down under. At the time, bio-security risks prevented European cattle breeds from being imported directly into
Australia and New Zealand. Still, if the stock had been isolated in the UK for one generation, then the progeny could be imported. Through this project, David established the highly regarded Avon Park Simmental Stud.
With dreams of farming on Banks Peninsula, David later sold the property at West Melton, buying, selling, and developing a couple of blocks before settling at Manor Farm in Teddington in 1985. During this time, he met Heather, who was then working as an international flight attendant for Air New Zealand. They married and had four children - Sophie, Laura, Isabella, and Morgan.
The 1980s were tough for farmers still suffering from the lasting effects of Rogernomics and the removal of subsidies. Farmers were moving off the land in their droves. David saw a need for farmers to have political advocacy at a government level, and with Heather’s support, he decided to launch his political career.
Though he missed out on securing the long-held left Lyttelton seat at his first attempt, he won the Selwyn by-election the following year after Ruth Richardson stepped down. David’s maiden speech to Parliament was on 30 August 1994.
From the outset, he advocated for rural people and their communities, something that did not waver throughout his 26-year political career.
During this time, he chaired numerous select committees as a Member of Parliament before becoming a Senior Cabinet Minister from 2008 until 2012. This included being Minister of Agriculture, Biosecurity, Economic Development, Forestry, and Primary Industries from 2008 to 2012 before being elected Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament at the start of 2013.
David decided to step away from politics in 2020. “After 26 years in politics, I know I’ve had my time,” he says. He singled out the Canterbury Plains Irrigation Scheme as an achievement he was very proud to be part of during his career. In December 2020, David was awarded a Knighthood recognising his 26 years of public service.
Despite the anti-farming sentiment, David says the future of New Zealand agriculture is positive. “We have a world-class, grass-fed, outdoor, no-subsidies model. New Zealand is superefficient in agriculture, and not many counties can compete. I believe the challenges around coping with climate change and the environment will be solved with science and our research programmes. We’ll get the solutions in the next 50 years, but we’ve got to give science time.”
David firmly believes farmers want an opportunity to adapt to best practices. “Farmers agree with what needs to be done to protect our environment; they just want the chance to
do it at a pace that is not only environmentally sustainable but financially as well.”
“To a young person looking to make a career in agriculture, I would say the future is bright. Farm ownership may not be as easy as it was, but there are many avenues to have a successful career in farming and be a caretaker of the land.”
David currently has substantial farming interests based at Banks Peninsula. They run a low-cost operation, preferring to do much of the work themselves, employing casual labour when required. Daughter Laura is currently doing all the day-to-day farm work, but David still enjoys getting out on-farm when time allows. He particularly enjoys the development phase.
Rob Sharkie, Group CEO Ruralco says the Ruralco Board looks forward to continuing to grow the business under his leadership. “David’s experience in governance and farming has been valuable during his Board tenure. With him now moving into the Chair role, we look forward to working together to build Ruralco into the partner of choice for rural New Zealand.”