A high-country farmer with a long association with the primary sector through various appointments to Meat New Zealand, Federated Farmers and private companies, John Acland was also the chair of the former Land Access Ministerial Reference Group.
A former Federated Farmers board member and spokesperson on land, environment and resource management issues, John Aspinall is a third-generation high-country farmer.
An initiator of the New Zealand Landcare Trust, Bryce Johnson is an active advocate for outdoor recreation. He is the current Chief Executive of Fish & Game New Zealand.
A resource management consultant and a member of the former Waitaki Water Allocation Board, Claire Mulcock has a strong policy background in environmental and rural issues.
A former chair of the Queen Elizabeth the Second National Trust and past Acting Executive Officer of Rural Women New Zealand, Maggie Bayfield is also a keen tramper and forest owner.
A professor in the University of Otago’s history department, with expertise in the history of rural society, land use and environmental change, Tom Brooking is an authority on the origins of the Queen’s Chain.
A committee chair of a rural council for 18 years, John Forbes is currently the Mayor of Opotiki District Council and chair of the Rural Sector of Local Government New Zealand.
A consultant with project management skills built over 25 years of community economic development, particularly in rural areas, Peter Brown is affiliated with Turanganui a Kiwa, Ngati Porou, Te Arawa and Tuwharetoa. He is also a member of the Waitangi Tribunal.