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Pukekohe’s Justin Ruygrok will be hoping his luck is sweeter the second time around as he aims to claim the 2026 Young Farmer of the Year title.
Although experience from last year’s Northern Regionals will be of some benefit, there are no guarantees in this fiercely fought contest.
“Having competed before, I think I can be a little better prepared, but you never know what’s going to get put in front of you – there’s just such a wide range of things that can be covered from within the agriculture industry,” he says.
“I’m up against seven other skilled people so anything can happen, but as long as I stay calm and collected, I stand a good chance.”
Last year, the regionals were held in Helensville, but this time the Aka Aka sharemilker will be competing much closer to home, at Pukekohe Showgrounds.
While this won’t provide him with an inside track, it will ensure that Ruygrok (who is the only Franklin Young Farmer to reach regionals this year) has a sizeable, and vocal, cheering section.
“It doesn’t mean I’ll have any home-ground advantage, but I’m going to have a lot more support, that’s for sure,” he says. “Franklin Young Farmers is organising [regionals] this time so most of them will be busy, but the crowd should be on my side.”
To be held this Saturday, April 11, the contest features fast-paced, head-to-head challenges as finalists race to complete a series practical tasks related to the primary industries.
The competition then concludes with a crowd favourite, a brain-teasing buzzer quiz on Saturday evening.
All going well, Ruygrok will then be heading to New Plymouth (July 2–4 ) for the Grand Final.
“I’d be rapt to win, for sure, but it’d be awesome just to make it to the final again as it was such a cool experience. You meet a lot of great people along the way which makes it so rewarding.”
The competition also helps showcase opportunities in the primary industries to future farmers, Ruygrok adds.
“The Junior Young Farmer of the Year and the Agri Kids events, which are on at the same time, give kids the chance to experience what farming can be like.
“If I was a young fella watching those, I think I’d be on board with them too because it’s amazing what you can do in this sector if you put your mind to it.”
