Our Patrons

Many thanks to our patrons for preserving heritage sports in Aotearoa

Tony & Amanda Chapman

Tony and Amanda live in Mosgiel after farming up in Kurow, North Otago. This is the first move for Tony after he and Amanda took over the Chapman family sheep and beef farm, the fourth generation to do so. In 2008 they converted to dairy and ran 1,000 cows. The Chapmans have three children Jessie, Alec and Hugh and are delighted to be a part of the New Zealand Rural Games.

Sir Eion Edgar - In Memoriam

Sir Eion had a long and distinguished career. Having worked for nationwide investment firm, Forsyth Barr for more than 42 years in a variety of roles, he has assisted many rural clients with their off-farm investment needs. His many and varied governance roles included Chair of Forsyth Barr, Chancellor of the University of Otago, President of the NZ Olympic Committee, Director of The Reserve Bank, Chairman of New Zealand Stock Exchange and Chairman of Central Lakes Trust. Committed to the community, he also actively supported initiatives around diabetes research, the Halberg Disability Sports Foundation, Queenstown Trails Trust and Winter Games NZ. Sir Eion passed away in June 2021, his name will remain synonyms with the New Zealand Rural Games as the Southern Hemisphere Highlander Champion has been renamed in his honour.

Larry & Jane Ellison

Foxton Beach couple, Larry and Jane Ellison have had a long association with the agriculture sector. They founded and grew the award winning agri-service company Rural Fuel. Since selling Rural Fuel, they’ve continued to develop products and services for the agriculture sector with current businesses, Ensol and Levno. The Ellisons are also involved in two dairy farms in the Manawatu and Horowhenua areas. Larry and Jane share a passion for developing world class agri-technology in New Zealand. Larry is also a director of agri-companies Biolumic and Calf Smart. Larry is involved in a number of philanthropic activities in Horowhenua including the Te Hinaki Trust, providing computers for schools. Larry has also acted as a mentor for the Sprout agri-tech accelerator programme and has judged the Manawatu Innovate awards in recent years.

Ian & Sue McKelvie

The McKelvie family have lived and breathed agriculture for generations, working the land they call home since 1870. Ian and wife Sue have dedicated their lives to running the family farm and in more recent years, to serving the people of the Manawatu region. After being the longest serving Mayor of the Manawatu district, Ian was elected as the Member of Parliament for the Rangitikei electorate. He has brought a strong voice for provincial New Zealand to the halls of Parliament, especially in his capacity as Chairperson of the Primary Production Select Committee. On top of this, Ian is currently chairperson of the Special Olympics New Zealand board. Ian and Sue are thrilled to be patrons of the New Zealand Rural Games.

Kelvin and Cherry Neville

Kelvin Neville has been owner-operator of Neville Bros Trucking for 50 years. Based in Dairy Flat, Neville Bros has a proud record of servicing the rural community in the northern region with stock and metal cartage. Many sporting and rural organisations have benefited from Kelvin’s generosity.

David Hosking

A lifetime travel industry leader, David has served as both a director and executive in one of the largest private global Tourism businesses. The Travel Corporation (TTC) operates over 40 award-winning travel and hospitality brands that span across 70 countries. Family-owned and run since 1920, TTC is the world leader in immersive travel experiences. David’s passion for travel began as a trip leader for Contiki in 1976 and since 2012, he has been a director of TTC Australia and in early 2021 stepped into the CEO role. He is committed to working with partners to not only build back business but create new profitable travel opportunities to help the industry recover. David’s passion for rural New Zealand is only second to his love of travel. He has been a patron of the New Zealand Rural Games since it began.

Sir Ralf Norris and Pam, Lady Norris

Sir Ralph retired as Managing Director and CEO of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in November 2011. His 40-year career in the Australasian banking sector included roles as CEO of ASB Bank and Air New Zealand. Sir Ralph is a director of Fonterra Co-operative Group, Fonterra Shareholders’ Fund, Origin Energy, New Zealand Treasury and Fletcher Building Industries. He is a member of the NZ Olympic Advisory Committee and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Advisory Board and trustee of Business Mentors New Zealand. He also served as an independent non-executive director of Fletcher Building from 2001 to 2005. Sir Ralph was appointed to Fletcher Building’s board in April 2014 and became Chairman the following October.

Randal Fitzgerald

Hailing from Ames, Iowa in the USA, Randy is a pharmaceutical engineer who was one of the key proponents of bringing Proliant Biological to Manawatu and New Zealand.

Randal spends half his year in Manawatu and half in Iowa. He consults on biopharma, medical device engineering and the pharmaceutical industry.

Paul and Bernadette Bourke

Paul and Bernadette Bourke from Pihama in South Taranaki milked 500 cows for 40 years before selling to their son Kieran and his wife, Claire. They have lived and breathed dairying and been involved in several other farming units along the way.

They believe passionately in rural New Zealand and have been active in promoting the value of agriculture for its way of life and economic returns to our economy.

Over the years, the Bourke’s have supported several community groups like Hospice, a rest home, Rural Support, their Church and Coastal Care, which supports 30 different health providers.

The family has traveled extensively in Africa and Australia and today enjoy their 13 grandchildren.

Neil Graham - In Memoriam

Cantabrian Neil worked in transport all his life, starting as a boy on a furniture truck helping the driver and going on to become joint managing director of Mainfreight Transport with Bruce Plested. Since 1978, the company has enjoyed spectacular growth worldwide. Neil had a passion for helping kids succeed in life. He was involved in several initiatives including Books in Homes, Life Education Trust, Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand, Blue Light Canterbury, Clown Doctors, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, St John and World Vision. Neil passed away in September 2015 after a long illness and is sorely missed.

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