Ben Purua

2021 and 2024 Finalists

Ben Purua

Ko Tainui tōku iwi, Ko Ngati Amaru tōku hapū, Ko Te Awamarahi tōku marae, Nō Pukekohe ahau

Ben Purua, 29, is the Farm Manager at Waimakariri Lands Ltd. He oversees the management of the 540 cow, System 5 dairy farm located near Tirau in the South Waikato for Chap and Ashleigh Zwiers and Jack and Tiz Sheares.

Ben faced adversity in his upbringing in Pukekohe, including exposure to gang life, substance abuse, and domestic violence. This led him on a journey in and out of youth prison and eventually to Waikeria Prison. However, it was during his time at Waikeria Prison that Ben discovered an opportunity to work on the prison farms and this ignited a newfound passion for farming. This transformative experience provided Ben with a path to positively redirect his life.

Ben now uses his personal journey of transformation as a presenter at the Waikeria Prison Farm open days. There, he recounts his journey of overcoming adversity and the profound influence of farming on his life. His goal is to inspire hope and motivation amongst the men there and encourage them to embrace new possibilities and look at farming as a promising career. Ben aims to establish a transition farm to support men reintegrating into society after prison, and he currently mentors men working in the agriculture industry who share similar backgrounds to his own.

Ben also actively engages with the community, advocating for youth retention in the food and fibre sector and he serves as a council member of the Food and Fibre youth network. He recently showcased his insights in Wellington as a presenter at the Food and Fibre Centre for Vocational Excellence Conference, emphasising the importance of nurturing talent in the industry. He is also an active member of the Piarere Young Farmers.

Despite facing the challenge of dyslexia, Ben has successfully completed his Apprenticeship in Agriculture, along with attaining his Level 3 and Level 4 qualifications in Dairy Farming. He now uses his knowledge to assist individuals contending with dyslexia and brain injuries, providing valuable support and guidance to help them fulfil their own tertiary training requirements.

Apart from his work and community commitments, Ben and his wife Nikki have introduced their own clothing line called Kāmu tō Pāmu (meaning ‘calm your farm’), aiming to advocate for well-being and positivity. You can find their collection at www.kamutopamu.co.nz. Ben also uses his profile ‘FarmUpNz’ to share his life and journey on the social media platforms TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.

For Ben, farming is more than just a career—it's a passion that fuels his spirit. He finds joy in the early mornings, the tranquility of the starlit sky, and he has a profound connection to the whenua. Through his journey, Ben hopes to inspire and empower more individuals to pursue rewarding careers in the dairy industry.