Willie White

Following a career in rural banking, QS Board Member Willie White moved back to work in the family dairy, arable, sheep and beef farming business in 2016. Family tenure on the land has driven a deep appreciation for its stewardship and this, along with increasing frustration with the conventional approach, led to transitioning the dairy operation to regenerative organic in 2019.

Willie lives on “Sherwood” in Ashley Clinton, Central Hawke’s Bay with wife Michelle and three young children – Johnny (8), Gigi (6) and Paddy (3). He’s passionate about fostering strong local communities, as reflected by much of his voluntary governance experience to date. Willie also sees a huge opportunity for New Zealand farming—with its existing natural advantages—in pursuing a more holistic and regenerative approach that enables farmers to take back some control over their businesses.