For the first time, the winner of the Excellence in Agricultural Journalism Rongo Award will receive a newly commissioned trophy, marking a significant milestone in the history of New Zealand’s premier agricultural journalism honour.

The Ravensdown Agricultural Communicator of the Year Award is the Guild’s premier award for agricultural communicators, recognising people who have made a meaningful contribution to New Zealand’s primary industries through clear, effective and engaging communication.

Presented with the support of Ravensdown, this year marks the 40th year of the award.

From a billion-dollar apple brand to grassroots rural leaders, this year’s Primary Industries New Zealand Awards (PINZ) finalists reflect a sector overflowing with talent.

Three finalists in each of nine categories have just been announced, with the winners to be named at an awards ceremony in Auckland on 23 June.

Well-known weather forecaster and founder of WeatherWatch, Philip Duncan, has been named the 2025 Ravensdown Agricultural Communicator of the Year.

Award-winning and respected journalist and conservationist, Rosalie Smith (QSM) of Katikati has died, just short of her 94th birthday.

The Farmers Weekly team, Richard Rennie, Bryan Gibson, Neal Wallace and Steve Wynn-Harris, took out this year’s top award in the New Zealand Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators’ annual journalism awards for a feature where they revisited Cyclone Gabrielle six months and one year on.