Rotorua teenager Toby Christensen has earned a place on the national stage after a standout performance at the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Young Farmer of the Year regional final, writes Jesse Wood.
Hard work in the classroom is translating naturally to success on the farm for Rotorua teenager Toby Christensen and his teachers are not surprised.
John Paul College principal Justin Harper says Christensen’s approach to learning has been reflected beyond school, after the Year 10 student secured the Waikato‑Bay of Plenty FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year title at Te Teko Racecourse in late March.
Toby Christensen, a Year 10 student at John Paul College, Rotorua.
“Toby is a conscientious and hard‑working student in all of his classes, so seeing this reflected in his performance on the farm is no surprise,” Harper says.
Christensen claimed the regional title alongside teammate Benjamin Barbour, of Putāruru College, with both now qualifying for the national finals to be held in New Plymouth in July.
“I was pretty confident that we might get first or second place, but when second was read out, my hopes started to fade,” says Toby.
“After it was announced that we won, I was pretty happy with myself and Ben because I knew that he wanted this win over anything else, because of last year’s defeat.”
Alongside the junior competition, the regional finals also crowned a senior winner, with Te Aroha‑based sheep and beef farmer Cam Clayton taking out the Waikato‑Bay of Plenty Young Farmer of the Year title in his final year of eligibility.
“To pick up the regional title was pretty awesome,” Clayton says.
“It’s something I wanted to achieve after supporting Hugh Jackson during his win last year. It’s been a good 12 months in the making.”
Clayton says preparation included long hours of quiz work, practical training and learning from past competitors.
“There was a lot of fence practising, video watching and talking to past contestants about how to structure your day and look after yourself,” he says.
“I leaned on my fiancée Emma quite a bit for hydration – and the finances.”
The experienced competitor says the standard across the field and the support from fellow entrants stood out.
“It was my fourth time entering and my second time at regionals,” Clayton says.
He placed third at Waikato in 2024 which gave him a good taste of what it takes.
“To make nationals this time around is pretty surreal.”
Representing the region at the national finals brings pressure, but also pride.
“You’re not just doing it for yourself – you’re doing it for your supporters, your family and the region,” he says.
Te Aroha‑based sheep and beef farmer Cam Clayton
Clayton was born and raised on a dairy farm in Te Aroha before spending eight years shepherding across the South Island, where young farmers clubs played a key role in staying connected.
“Shepherding can be a lonely profession,” he says.
“Joining young farmers was a good excuse to get off the hill, meet people and stay connected wherever I was working.”
After returning north, Clayton rejoined the Morrinsville‑Ngārua Young Farmers Club. He and Emma now lease four properties – just under 1000 acres – across the Te Aroha and Karangahake Gorge areas.
The operation runs about 450 ewes, around 100 beef cows including a Hereford stud, and close to 300 dairy grazers. Clayton says recent flooding in the gorge created logistical challenges, but local stock agents stepped in to help.
In his final year of eligibility, Clayton says the Young Farmers competitions have helped shape both his farming and leadership skills.
“It’s a well‑regarded competition in the primary sector and pretty prestigious,” he says.
“To be part of that group heading to nationals is something I’m really proud of.”
Benjamin Barbour, left and Toby Christensen took out the Junior Young Farmer of the Year title. Photo: Brittany Fowler Photography
