For Tor Pedersen (Fitchett 2011-2014), caring for the land isn’t about waiting for regulations; it’s about taking responsibility.

In April 2025, Tor was named the supreme winner of the Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Awards for his proactive approach to freshwater protection and sustainable land use on the family’s 300-hectare Broomore Farm in Waitetuna Valley near Raglan.

With a long-standing connection to the land, his whaanau have farmed there since 1967, Tor has led significant environmental work, including relocating the farm’s main race to improve stream health, fencing waterways, and carrying out extensive riparian planting to support the mauri of the awa and the survival of freshwater mussels and kooura.

“Everything we do comes back to the water,” he told the judges, acknowledging the importance of protecting more than four kilometres of major waterways and their tributaries on the property.

Tor is a motorbike mechanic, an interest he always had since a young boy. But he also always wanted to farm. Now he has the best of both worlds, being on the farm and using his mechanical skills to convert the original cow shed. The skill also allows him to fix farm machinery on the spot, making production time as efficient as possible. 

Since returning to the farm in 2018 and taking on contract milking in 2022, Tor has prioritised long-term land and animal wellbeing. The operation currently milks 250 cows across 100 hectares, with 50 hectares in support land and the remaining area covered in exotic and native trees, including large stands of regenerating native bush.

More than 30,000 trees have been planted over the past five years, and vulnerable areas have been retired from grazing to support natural restoration. Animal health is also front of mind, with breeding decisions made to suit the land’s topography and maintain liveweight and welfare.

The judges were particularly impressed by Tor’s deep understanding of livestock movement and his ability to adapt infrastructure and land management practices to support freshwater goals. He also received the Water Protection Award, aligning with the aspirations of Waikato Regional Council’s Plan Change 1, which focuses on improving freshwater quality across the rohe.

A former student of Te Uku Primary School, Maeroa Intermediate, and St Paul’s Collegiate School, Tor briefly worked as a mechanic before returning to the land he grew up on.

His approach to farming is grounded in family knowledge and innovation. Judges praised his use of data and industry tools, as well as the support and insight shared between generations on the farm.

“All we’re trying to do is future-proof the farm so that we can keep on farming into the future,” he said.

Tor also won the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award, DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award, NZFET Biodiversity Award and the Waikato Regional Council Water Protection Award.