Let’s set our sights on nothing less than global leadership in delivering the epitome of sustainable nutrition
*The views expressed by this Rangatahi member are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of the organisation(s) they represent.
In March, in collaboration with our Leading Partners, The Aotearoa Circle established a Rangatahi Advisory Panel, to ensure intergenerational oversight of critical work at a governance level.
As part of this, each month we include in our Circular a ‘Rangatahi Perspective’, which accompanies our monthly Partner Perspectives. Our second contribution comes from Tom Hyland, a member of the Rangatahi Advisory Panel representing Fonterra.
Name
Tom Hyland
Your whakapapa / heritage and background:
Ko Tom toku ingoa, I tipu ake au ki Tāmaki Makaurau, ko Te Tiriti o Waitangi te waka.
As a 5th generation New Zealander with ancestral roots from Scotland, Ireland, and Sweden, I have a deep connection to this land. Being born and raised in Auckland, I have always been drawn to the ocean, spending countless hours surfing the West Coast and Northland’s east coast. I have always appreciated the proximity to both the east and west coast, meaning there is almost always a wave around within an hour’s drive.
I love being in the water or up a mountain which has fuelled my passion to safeguard and rejuvenate New Zealand’s precious natural capital.
What excites you about the opportunity to be a Rangatahi Advisory Panel Member for The Aotearoa Circle?
From a young age, I have been driven by a strong belief in the need to protect our natural environment and understand the consequences of our actions. The Aotearoa Circle has played a significant role in shaping my thought development, and now I am excited to have the chance to actively contribute and help shape their initiatives during such a critical time for New Zealand and the world.
Being part of the Panel is not only motivating but also empowering. It provides a platform for the panel members to drive focused and meaningful actions within their respective organisations, mine being Fonterra, as well as contributing to the workflows of the Circle and other Leading Partner organisations. This collaboration creates a platform for aligned sustainable initiatives, fostering a more resilient and promising future.
It is very motivating to be part of this group of young people, to able to learn and share ideas and have our voices heard; with the team focused on delivering the common goal of a more resilient and sustainable New Zealand.
How would you like emerging generations to contribute to decision making and leadership - now and in 20 years’ time?
Our generation holds a unique opportunity and responsibility to contribute to decision making and leadership, particularly in addressing urgent challenges like climate change and the biodiversity crisis – which are inextricably linked. It is crucial that emerging generations have a seat at the table, as we will be the ones living with the irreversible consequences of inaction. Unencumbered by the "this is how we have always done it" mindset, we have the power to drive change and shape a better future.
To contribute effectively to decision making and leadership now, and in the future, empowering emerging generations and providing them with the necessary tools is essential. This involves:
Questioning Conventional Practices: We must encourage young people to question long-standing norms and traditional approaches. By challenging the "this is how we've always done it" mindset, we can open doors to innovation and new solutions.
Inclusive and Collaborative Decision-Making: Shifting away from hierarchical structures, decision-making processes should embrace inclusivity of voice and collaboration. Leaders must actively seek out and listen to the perspectives of young people, ensuring their voices are valued and considered.
Accountability for Ambitious Climate Action: Accountability of active input and engagement with Rangatahi will ensure that decision-making processes are transparent, inclusive, and effectively address the challenges we face.
I envisage a future in 20 years’ time where a clear path of proven and accepted pathways has been established for emerging generations. By charting this course, we can ensure that young leaders are empowered to challenge the status quo and take the actions necessary to bring about meaningful change.
What is your vision for the future of Aotearoa New Zealand or the industry you work in?
My vision for Aotearoa’s agriculture industry is to be at the forefront of global leadership in providing the highest standard of sustainable nutrition. By embracing innovation and implementing transformative practices, that can be implemented on a global scale, we have the capacity to reverse the impact of historical processes and set ourselves on a pathway to restoration.
Nutrient-dense food is going to continue to play a crucial role in feeding a growing population, one in which 2 billion are micronutrient deficient. However, we must balance meeting our zero hunger goals with transitioning the global food and agriculture industry to a low-impact food system. This must be a system that boosts efficiency per gram of nutrition by looking at GHG emissions, water use, land use, and soil health, whilst actively restoring biodiversity. New Zealand currently stands as one of the world's most carbon-efficient dairy producers at scale. However, I envision the industry playing a crucial role as a global pioneer in ground-breaking innovation and integrated food ventures that deliver the utmost sustainable nutrition, suitable to a 1.5°C world.
New Zealand’s farmers are intergenerational thinkers by nature, they want their land to also be the basis for their children’s livelihoods and the generation after; but now we are at a tipping point. Our actions today and into the next decade will determine how the world will look for the next generation and beyond.
For New Zealand to be successful in reaching our climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, the agriculture industry must reduce emissions. We need to utilise the industry’s strength in delivering goodness and nutrition as a powerful partner to organisations and innovators that will help us deliver our sustainable future faster and in the right way. I envisage that with the development of important partnerships, such as AgriZero NZ, a public private partnership working to find a solution to enteric methane, the industry can continue to innovate and be the world leader in sustainable food.
What would you like the leaders of Aotearoa New Zealand to do in order to help bring your vision to life?
In the past, policy incentives promoted agricultural intensification, boosting productivity but also creating unintended consequences. However, it is now crucial that we shift our focus towards ensuring that effective policies incentivise innovation and emissions reduction, ensuring continued profitability and greater resilience for our agriculture industry. It is vital that we reduce emissions while maintaining the delivery of vital nutrition from our productive land. To achieve this:
1 - I want to see our politicians and leaders of industry be bold.
2 - I want to see clear, impactful, enduring, and workable policies with meaningful timelines that will deliver:
the emissions reductions required to align New Zealand’s agriculture sector to a 1.5°C world
no net loss in the nutritional value generated by the nation’s productive land, preserving the vital contributions of the sector
food systems that operate within stable planetary boundaries, striking a harmonious balance between agricultural production and ecological limits.
prosperity for farmers and the nation, creating economic growth and sustainable livelihoods.
3 - I want to see greater investment in adaptation and innovation to address the challenges climate change already presents. This may look like:
Expanding traditional business planning horizons further than one to three years, broadening perspective to enable long-term resilience
Prioritising investments into areas that can achieve both adequate financial returns and quantifiable environmental impact
Embracing change, not opposing it; to position the country to win on the global shift towards low carbon economies.
What are your biggest concerns when it comes to the state of Aotearoa New Zealand?
I am deeply concerned about the inadequate pace of our preparations for climate change in Aotearoa. As an island nation with an extensive coastline and numerous low-lying areas, we are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of rising sea levels. The potential loss of coastal habitats, infrastructure, productive agricultural land, and displacement of communities is a grave concern.
By 2040, as projected by NIWA, certain regions of New Zealand are expected to encounter coastal flooding events that were historically considered one-in-100-year occurrences on an annual basis. Coupled with intensifying extreme weather events, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss, it is crucial that we place greater priority on adaptation and adequately prepare for the challenges ahead.
Amidst the dedication and spirit of our proud farmers and the tight-knit farming community they embody, our country thrives with high productivity, self-sufficiency, and strong global connections, especially in the food production sector. However, as the world rapidly evolves, one of my prime concerns is the urgent need for Aotearoa to accelerate innovation and maintain competitiveness in meeting escalating demand for sustainable nutrition, both domestically and globally.
As the world changes, let's lead the charge, raising the bar for sustainable nutrition in Aotearoa.