Food and Fibre CoVE has a highly experienced team with the ability to leverage stakeholder relationships across Aotearoa New Zealand, supported by a Board with extensive food and fibre sector experience.
The inaugural Board was appointed in December 2020. At the 2023 AGM Natalie Bowie was appointed and William Beetham replaced Mark Paine as Chair.
Cheyenne Wilson (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa) is the Founder and Managing Director of Te Kaharangi Hono, a Māori Agribusiness providing farm systems and cultural consultancy services. With a rural upbringing in Southland, she brings extensive technical knowledge of farm systems to her roles. She graduated from Lincoln University with a Bachelor of Environment and Society. Cheyenne’s commitment to the sector is demonstrated through various trustee positions, including Meat the Need charity, Our Land and Water National Science Challenge governance group, and Muka Tangata, The People, Food and Fibre Development Council. Notably, she chaired He Tātai Rangahua, the Food and Fibre Youth Council. A finalist for the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer of the Year award in 2018, Cheyenne is a role model for youth in the industry, encouraging rangatahi to pursue career opportunities in the food and fibre industry. She is committed to building the capability of tangata whenua. Cheyenne is an advocate for Farmstrong and mental well-being in rural communities. With over 16 years of governance experience, Cheyenne integrates academic and practical knowledge to advocate for indigenous communities and promote diversity in the food and fibre sector.
Olivia Weatherburn, for the past 9.5 years, has had an extension role with Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ ) where she has grown a toolbox of extension delivery experience along with a well-developed networks and strong relationships across the food and fibre sector. As a practical farmer and rural advocate she brings extensive farm system knowledge and understanding. Olivia’s governance experience to date has been within her local community with over 18 years involvement with New Zealand Young Farmers in various leadership committee roles and in recent years with Lions International. For two years Olivia sat on the ‘Primary Industry Capability Alliance’ (PICA) board and she sits on number of advisory boards as part of her role as the national extension programme manager at B+LNZ. For the last 12 months Olivia has been privileged to hold an associate trustee role with the New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust which enabled her to bring a basic governance understanding and she see.s this role is a well connected stepping stone. Oliva was recently appointed as a NZ director on the Australasia Pacific Extension Network Board for three years.
With wide-ranging experience across vocational education and training, and primary industries the team thrives on collaborating, enabling and sharing innovative ideas and solutions.
