My life on the farm has been a journey shared with my wonderful family. My darling Jodie—my partner—my mother Julie and sister, and my uncle Brian are here today. They shared in my dreams to see me succeed in one of the best industries in New Zealand and amongst the best farmers in the world. I have now been farming for 30 years non-stop and in that time I've seen all sides of rural New Zealand: the trials and the tribulations of those in my community and those that have stood beside me in their rural journey. I have worked with livestock for decades, whether goading dairy cows or being chased by wild bulls, the latter of which resulted in breaking both collarbones and eight ribs on several different occasions, or being on farm with pneumonia in a perpetual wet winter that caught so many farmers out. Also, living with the pangs of depression for three or four years in my early thirties. This has been my life in farming. These won't be unfamiliar anecdotes to most farmers, many of whom now know colleagues and friends who found the going too tough, sold up, moved on, or, in too many cases, took their own lives. 