Federated Farmers Leadership Race Emerges Ahead of AGM

Current president and Golden Bay dairy farmer Wayne Langford is eyeing an unprecedented fourth year in the top job.

This sets up a potential leadership race with vice-president Colin Hurst who says he's standing.

Wayne Langford Considers a Fourth Year as President

Behind the scenes, Langford's desire to do another year is raising more than a few eyebrows among many past and present members of the organisation.

Some are perplexed, while others are said to be deeply unhappy and concerned about the move, saying it has the potential to cause something of a split at the Feds' AGM in Auckland.

For most of the Federation's 82 years, the term of all key officers, including that of president, has been set at three years.

In its early days it was four years, but this quickly changed and has remained three years ever since.

Dairy News understands that this is the first time a sitting president has openly indicated a desire to stand for an extra year.

Langford told Dairy News, "that if there was support from members, I am keen to stand".

Questions Around Governance and Constitutional Process

This all began at the Federation's National Council meeting, held last November in Wellington.

The council consists of the national board, the provincial presidents and the chairs of the industry groups such as dairy, meat and fibre and arable.

It's understood that at that meeting, a motion from the floor was passed indicating that if a sitting president or vice president sought an extra year, this would be possible under the constitution.

However, in recent months, the legality of such a motion has been called into question with suggestions that advance notice had to be given for any change.

A Rare Competitive Election

With the AGM just a few weeks away, it's uncertain what might transpire.

The only certainty is Feds current vice president, Colin Hurst, has already lodged his nomination for the presidency. In theory, he as national vice president is the natural successor to Langford.

Still unclear is Langford's motives for seeking an extra year.

Dairy News is only aware of one instance in the past when this happened and it was apparently because no one was interested in the role.

What is also unclear is what support Langford may have if an election was held.

For the most part, Feds AGMs have been passive set piece events. Only in 2011 at Rotorua was there a challenge in which Bruce Wills beat three other challengers for the top job.

Leadership Style and Legacy

Langford has been a high-profile president of the Federation and whether the grassroots members want another year of his style of leadership is up for debate.

The alternative is the status quo - the three-year term and a new person in the job.

Whatever the outcome, Langford's apparent bid for an extra year, may yet define his legacy as president of the organisation.