The Country 14/01/26: Hamish Marr talks to Hamish McKay

This Mid Canterbury arable farmer is the former special trade envoy. He discusses stepping down and recounts the memorable moments of three years in the role.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, of course Hamish mar finished up as our special
trade in voys of the starter of this year, handing
over the rains too hot a fena was finest, mister
Nathan Guy and of course Hames Canterbury arable Farmer joins us.
Now Hamish, happy new year, house things started for you
in twenty twenty six.

Speaker 2 (00:17):
Well, happy new year to you, Hamish. Things have started
out pretty well. We've done a lot, We've done a
little bit of harvest, We've got plenty more to do.
Big rain coming at the weekend. We're not very excited
about that, but anyway we'll deal with it when it comes.

Speaker 3 (00:33):
Bit heavier than the myths that would be.

Speaker 2 (00:34):
Okay, I understand, well this is the thing, right, you
can't please a farmer knows that this time a year.
The arable farmers like me want hot and dry. But
the other half, their operation, which is dary, doesn't mind
the rain. So you've got foot in each camp and
that's just where farming's at too.

Speaker 3 (00:53):
Yeah, absolutely it is.

Speaker 1 (00:55):
So how are you finding you've got a bit of
extra time on your plate now? And I guess that's
not not that you've got a busy enough operation. I
mean I'm not saying that you're not plad out, but
I guess now that you're not involved as the special
trade end.

Speaker 3 (01:09):
Boy, how's that going to change your life in twenty six.

Speaker 2 (01:12):
Oh well, it'll probably just change my focus a little
bit back to what we were doing before. Who knows
what the future holes and terms of roles and and
and pieces. But just at the moment, Hamish, it's get
our harvest out of the way and then we'll see
what happens after that.

Speaker 1 (01:29):
Yeah, what are your best memories of the last few years?
What sort of what do you look back on most proudly?

Speaker 2 (01:35):
Oh, hamoush For out doubt, it's when I ask what
people's images of New Zealand are, and they every country
I visited, in every meeting I went to the feedback
that New Zealand is the prettiest place on earth, that
the people that we deal with from New Zealand or
New Zealanders are particularly good people. We're very trusted with,

(01:58):
we're very honest, and the product that you send off
shore as a reflection of all of those things. And
when you hear that time and time again, you know,
you get that goosebump feeling every time very very proud
to be in New Zealander and a New Zealand farmer.

Speaker 1 (02:13):
Yeah, yep, Oh that's great, isn't it? Prettiest place? New
Zealand is good people, great product and are fantastic. Where
did you enjoy going the most? Who are who are
the best sort of contacts you made?

Speaker 3 (02:25):
Oh?

Speaker 2 (02:26):
Look, I made great contacts everywhere, Hamish and I don't
know that I could name one place. I found every
place interesting. I think if I well, China and India,
probably because I hadn't been there. And I think everyone
from New Zealand at some stage in their lives should
go on holiday to both of them, because some of

(02:46):
the things we think about aren't necessarily true once you've
been for a bist there. And if I told you
that farming is different everywhere, but it's the same, then
that mindset opens a lot of doors for you, because
the problems that we think we have here are the
problems that a lot of other people have. And so

(03:08):
what I what I found and what I had success
with was trying to work out where you know, New
Zealand product fitted into the problems or the differences that
we see and some of those those things and those
realizations are probably the biggest memories for me, alongside working
with some tremendous people.

Speaker 3 (03:27):
Yeah, yeah, fantastic.

Speaker 1 (03:28):
I always used to say to myself when I was
lucky enough to sort of tour the world with with
with rugby and the all Blacks and various things, to
always take the time to lickornize cream and feel the
grass between your toes. There is there any places you
were or company you were keeping that is sort of
a pinch me moment.

Speaker 2 (03:44):
Oh well, look I am. I got to meet MP's
and prime ministers and and the head of head of
farming's people. I think when I was in India, some
of the places that we got to visit at high
level was was pretty impressive. But everywhere, again, just what
you said about the rugby, everywhere there's a story and

(04:08):
everywhere and everywhere is good.

Speaker 3 (04:10):
Yeah fantastic.

Speaker 1 (04:11):
Hey, the arable sector in general, what's the sort of
the outlook for twenty twenty six.

Speaker 2 (04:19):
Well, we're in a bit of a holding pattern in
terms of the small seed sector. I think we'll see
quiet market increase in plantings on the back of MB
warehouses the northern hemisphere, which is a good story. The
grain side of things. I can't see too much upside
in terms of price, but I can see demand probably

(04:41):
holding and maybe increasing a little bit. So a positive story,
but not quite as positive in there as it needs
to be just yet.

Speaker 3 (04:49):
Yeah, Okate, Well, fingers crossed for that.

Speaker 1 (04:52):
Hamush, thank you for joining us, and I hope it's
missed on the crops and rain on the dairy farm
for you this weekend much appreciated.

Speaker 2 (05:00):
Here we go, Thank you much loving design