Sam Robinson

As an active businessman my time is split between two careers, farming two properties totalling 1400ha in Central Hawke’s Bay and sitting as a director on numerous boards. With such pressures on my time, I’m fortunate that I have 3 staff to run our hill-country farms.

I’ve noticed numerous changes in the farming climate since I began in 1973 and I believe that moving the farming industry away from a commodity market and focusing on the end customer is the way forward.

The agriculture sector also faces enormous challenges with the effects of global warming and environmental changes. Farmers have to de-risk themselves behind the farm gate by making their farm less susceptible to the risk of extremes such as drought. We need to start planning now to manage these changes and the effect of the emissions trading scheme. Sitting as a director on numerous boards gives me an interest outside the farm gate and allows me to exercise my ability to make decisions, even when risk and unknowns are involved. The experience farmers bring as active risk managers to the board table is invaluable. We come to it as proven operators of a complex business model which has many variables – some of which are unknown when decisions have to be made.

My current directorships include AgResearch (since 2008), AsureQuality (since 2006, formerly AgriQuality), Centralines (since 2006) and Cooperative Bank (since 2006, formerly PSIS). Previous directorships include Richmond Meats (now Silver Fern Farms), Farmlands, Port of Napier and AGMARDT.

I’ve been dealing with BWR for almost my entire business career. This long relationship can be put down to BWR’s understanding, uncomplicated and unrushed approach to my business affairs. BWR look after all aspects of my accounting needs from taxation to strategic business advice, to family succession planning. The advice I receive from Craig Riddiford and Robyn Laughton is always well thought out, courteous, cheerful and provides excellent value for money.

Sam Robinson (Farmer/ Director)