Professor Nicola Shadbolt and Judging Panel member Phil McKendry.
Professor Nicola Shadbolt of Massey University was recognised as one of three recipients of the Outstanding Co-operative Contribution Award at the Cooperative Business New Zealand Annual Awards 2020 that were held in Christchurch this evening.
The Outstanding Co-operative Contribution Award recognises individuals who have contributed significantly to the success of a co-operative business or the wider co-operative sector in New Zealand over the long-term. Judges deemed that each of the 2020 finalists were highly deserving of the award and determined that all three should be acknowledged for their services to the sector.
Nicola has a long history of service to the New Zealand agribusiness and co-operative sectors.
As a Professor in Agribusiness and Farm Management at Massey University, her teaching and research in agribusiness has focused on collective action, in particular through the formation, management and governance of co-operatives, and value chains.
Nicola was an Elected Director of Fonterra for nine years. She is currently a Director of the International Food & Agribusiness Management Association, Chair of Plant and Food Research and she is one of seven Climate Change Commissioners advising the Government to help New Zealand transition to a climate-resilient and low emissions future.
In addition, Nicola represents New Zealand in the International Farm Comparison Network (IFCN) in Dairying and she is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Nicola was recognised with the Westpac Rural Women of Influence Award in 2017, and in 2018 she was awarded as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Agribusiness.
Co-operative Business New Zealand Chief Executive Roz Henry says: “Nicola has held a significant number of leadership roles within the agriculture and co-operative sectors and she is a staunch advocate for the co-operative model.
“She is a trailblazer and she has worked incredibly hard to achieve long-term, sustainable change.
“For Cooperative Business New Zealand, she played a key role in enabling the first piece of research to be undertaken by Massey University to gain clarity around the value of the Co-operative Economy to New Zealand. This work was incredibly important to the sector and has been a cornerstone in enabling discussions with the Government and regulators.”
