Since 2019, the Groundspread NZ Awards have celebrated the individuals and organisations who go above and beyond to strengthen New Zealand’s groundspread industry.
Presented annually as part of Groundspread NZ’s flagship event, the awards recognise outstanding leadership, innovation, professionalism and commitment across our sector. They celebrate those who are making a lasting contribution to the industry while inspiring future generations of groundspreaders.
Whether through exceptional service, embracing new technology, supporting others or demonstrating outstanding leadership, each award recipient reflects the values that continue to move our industry forward.
The Groundspread NZ Awards continue to showcase the professionalism, expertise and passion that exists throughout our membership and the wider industry.
This award is presented to a positive ambassador of the groundspreading industry, who has been a positive supporter of the Association during the past three years. They impart their knowledge to others in the industry, and their contribution has helped groundspreaders in one of the following areas – business, economic, environmental, or social.
Previous winners: Gordon Dobbs (2019), Grant Anderson (2020), John Whitehead (2021), Tina Powell (2022), Stephen Whitehead (2023), Graeme Martin (2024), Nick Hyslop (2025), Gary Carr & Simon Pedersen (2026).
Ballance is a New Zealand farmer-owned co-operative that helps its customers to farm more productively, profitably and sustainably. From its core business of fertiliser manufacturing, supply, sales, and advice, Ballance has grown to offer farmers a full range of science-backed nutrient products and services. This enables us to help farmers achieve soil and animal nutrition and productivity with a minimal environmental footprint. Ballance’s agri-nutrient advice is complemented by award-winning web-based farm systems software. With strong emphasis on quality and professionalism, Ballance is proud to be the sponsor of the prestigious President’s Award. This award is presented to a young groundspread operator who is under the age of 35 and is passionate about the groundspread industry (that they currently work in). They will have shown vision and passion and contributed positively to the industry and Association.
Previous winners: Adam White (2019), Matthew Blomfield (2020), Toby Evans (2021), Nigel Nunn (2022), Hayley Allen (2023), Nicole Furniss (2024), Emma Johnstone (2025), Matthew Campbell (2026).
Ravensdown is a fertiliser co-operative. We manufacture and import quality agri-products for our shareholders. Ravensdown’s mission is to enable smarter farming for a better New Zealand. We are proud to support the Young Achiever’s Award. This award fits with Ravensdown’s philosophy of recognising the achievements of young people within agriculture. We already offer agri-scholarships and are delighted to grow our support of youth in agriculture by sponsoring this award. We believe that by rewarding excellence in this way, we can help ensure that the ground spreading industry continues to attract young talent. This award is presented to an industry expert who demonstrates a commitment to the exploration of technology and innovation in the groundspread industry during the past three years. They will have encountered an industry problem or issue and have been able to solve it with their innovation.
Previous winners: Ted Usmar (2019), Ron Smith (2020), John Whitehead (2021), Jon Jackson (2022), Shane Glassey (2023), James Stenton (2024), Adam Glasgow (2025), Paul Hoyle (2026).
Keith Andrews, New Zealand’s largest commercial vehicle dealer, is an established Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner and FUSO specialist providing commercial vehicle sales and service from locations throughout the North Island. The company’s ethos centres on the principle that great people make great businesses, and Keith Andrews is proud to have a team of passionate individuals, who share a common approach to delivering excellent customer service. Keith Andrews proudly sponsors the Innovation Award to support and celebrate the classic Kiwi traits of ingenuity and creativity for the betterment of the Groundspread industry and community.
2025 saw the introduction of this exciting new category!
We were thrilled to announce the Graymont Emerging Talent Award, created to celebrate high-potential individuals whose passion, aspirations, engagement, and contribution to their role and the wider groundspread industry deserve recognition.
The Graymont Emerging Talent Award honours the outstanding contribution by a team member who consistently delivers operational excellence. This award is presented to the candidate who embodies Graymont’s core values of teamwork, excellence, respect, accountability, integrity, innovation, and a long-term perspective for the success of their organisation and the wider Groundspread industry.
Previous winners (Health & Safety Award): Nicola Goodwin (2019), Phil Johnson (2020), Nick Hyslop (2021), Kylie Stenton (2022), Grant Anderson (2023), Jessie Freer (2024).
Previous winners (Emerging Talent Award): Stuart Davison (2025), Matthew Scully (2026).
Graymont is a highly reliable and trusted global leader in delivering essential calcium-based solutions to meet the world’s changing needs. Founded in 1948, the company is professionally managed and family-owned to proudly serve a wide range of markets, customers and communities in North America and Asia Pacific.
Graymont’s calcium-based solutions include high calcium lime, value-added lime-based products, pulverized limestone and construction stone products. They provide essential solutions to a wide range of industrial, construction and agricultural markets to support air and water purification, animal nutrition and soil conditioning, and production of materials such as paper, glass, steel, and critical minerals. Strongly committed to participating in a decarbonised economy, Graymont proactively invests in research and development and works closely with customers on their emerging needs and engineered solutions.
Nominations open annually in the lead-up to Groundspread NZ’s Annual Conference or Members’ Day & Awards Gala.
Anyone involved in or associated with the groundspread industry is encouraged to nominate an individual, business or organisation they believe deserves recognition.
Each nomination is assessed against the relevant award criteria by an independent judging panel.
Nominations for the 2027 Awards will open in early 2027.
