Petersen, New Zealand Special Agricultural Trade Envoy and Hawke’s Bay farmer, was named as 2018’s Ravensdown Agricultural Communicator of the Year in Hamilton this week. The award honours those who make a significant contribution towards making New Zealand world leaders in primary production.
Petersen has been involved in leadership positions across the agri-food sector for nearly 20 years. In his role of New Zealand Special Agricultural Trade Envoy, he travels offshore to countries where New Zealand is looking to improve market access and market reputation, acting as an advocate for the dairy, sheep, beef, horticulture and wine industries.
New Zealand Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators guild president Elaine Fisher described Petersen as epitomising all that it is to be a highly effective communicator for the primary industries.
“He has advocated on behalf of sheep and beef farmers, promoted Māori agribusiness, and effectively represents New Zealand’s primary sector on the international stage, all underpinned by his background as an award-winning Hawke’s Bay farmer.”
