We’re farmers, just like you — and our job is to make sure your voice is heard where it matters most.
The Shareholder Reference Group (SRG) is the link between LIC farmers and the people making decisions. We take what we’re hearing on farm, carry it through to management, senior leadership and the Board, and make sure it’s part of the discussions that shape LIC’s direction, services, and performance.
Who we are
We’re a group of 12 farmers and industry people from across New Zealand, made up of both shareholder-elected and appointed members with a wide range of skills and experience.
Most importantly, we’re actively farming or closely connected to farming businesses, so we understand the realities you’re dealing with every day.
What we do
- Represent farmers
We listen to shareholders across the country and take those views directly to LIC leadership. - Provide real-world input
We give practical, on-farm insight into LIC’s products, services, and strategy. - Connection and support
We connect with the LIC Board and management and support decisions that deliver value back to farmers. - Keep the co-op grounded
Everything we do is about ensuring LIC stays focused on what matters - profitable, sustainable farming businesses.
How we work
- We meet 5 times per year engaging with management and the LIC Board across a wide range of LIC’s functions and services.
- We stay connected to shareholders and farmers in our regions — through conversations, feedback, local events and on-farm discussions.
- We bring shareholder insights into the room to support informed decision-making.
- We provide a farmer-led sounding board for LIC management offering honest and constructive feedback on future services and product ideas.
Get in touch with us
If you’ve got feedback, concerns, or ideas — get in touch with your local SRG member.
One of the co-operative’s greatest strengths is the ability for shareholders to have a genuine voice in shaping how our business operates.
Todd Halliday
M: 027 541 6116
E: [email protected]
Todd farms a 158-hectare dairy farm near Reporoa with his wife Renee and their four children, peak milking 520 Jersey cows. Originally from Auckland, Todd pursued a career in dairy farming 17 years ago and hasn’t looked back. During this time, he has developed a strong understanding of the dairy industry, the importance of farmer-owned cooperatives, and the need to remain forward-thinking in an evolving industry.
Todd has held various community leadership and governance roles and recently completed the Fonterra Governance Development Programme. He looks forward to bringing a practical, farmer-focused perspective to the LIC Shareholder Reference Group and contributing to the continued success of LIC.
Kevin James Argyle
CA, BBS, Dip Rural
M: 027 431 9990
E: [email protected]
I have a combination of practical dairy farming experience, commercial leadership, and governance expertise across the agri-innovation and cooperative sectors. I have a business degree, am a Chartered accountant and completed an agricultural diploma. I farm 600 cows in Kairanga and have led large-scale dairy R&D programmes across New Zealand and Australia. I understand LIC’s on-farm impact and the strategic oversight needed to ensure its long-term success.
Governance Experience:
- Current Board Trustee – Dairy Women’s Network (supporting sector capability and inclusion)
- Current Board Trustee- Dairy Trust Taranaki
- Former Director – Magritek (technology and innovation)
- Former Councillor – Manawatū District Council
- Foprmer Chair of DairyBio Steering Committee
- Completed the Fonterra Governance Development Programme
- Completed the Institute of Directors governance course
These roles have deepened my skills in good governance, strategic oversight, board performance, and farmer and stakeholder engagement.
Executive Leadership & Management experience:
- General Manager R&D – Meat & Livestock Australia
- Director Major Innovation – Dairy Australia
- CEO – DairyBio and DairyFeedBase (transformational JV innovation R and D in animal and forage genetics and farm system programmes)
- Senior roles with Fonterra, AgResearch, DairyNZ, and Massey Ventures Ltd
Linda Rollinson
Lauriston
M: 027 356 7288
Email: [email protected]
Linda and Pete, along with their three children, own a 700 cow farm in Lauriston, Mid Canterbury. They started dairying on family farms milking 2200 cows, then moved into sharemilking, starting off lower order sharemilking for a syndicate near Ashburton. They then progressed to 50/50 sharemilking 1600 cows in Hinds for the Thornton family before purchasing their own farm.Linda has corporate experience in both HR and the Rural finance sector, and has most recently been an associate director on her local irrigation company, Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation Ltd. She has undertaken governance training with both the Mayfield group and Institute of Directors.
Ben Smith (Chair)
Waimate
M: 021 443 097
E: mailto:[email protected]
Ben and Chloe along with their 3 daughters farm in Waimate South Canterbury. They started dairying in 2009 and in 2016 lower order sharemilking 800 cows with the Paul family. Together they have grown to 4,000 cows over 5 properties.
People, water, cows and co-ops have allowed them to grow an efficient productive farming business. Ben is passionate about the importance of co-ops, delivering semen, water and collecting milk .
Ben has a Bachelor of Commerce in International Business and Management and is also a Director of local irrigation co-op MGI Irrigation Ltd.
Michelle Oldham-Smith (Deputy Chair)
Invercargill
M: 027 665 8957
Michelle is farming in Southland with her husband Jeremy and 2 young boys at Winton milking 820 cows across 2 properties and leasing support land to become self contained. Born and raised on dairy farms, progressing through 50/50 share-milking and being an LIC AI tech for over 15 years she is passionate about cows, people and co-operatives. She has a friendly approach and values representing shareholder views through LIC to contribute to the co-op's future.
Michelle has completed a Diploma in Agriculture from Lincoln University, is currently completing the Mayfield Governance course and is an active BOT member at the local primary school.
Nikki Cameron
Leeston
M: 021 817 540
E: [email protected]
Nikki is based in Dunsandel, Canterbury, employed as the General Manager for the AJ Pye Farming group. This is made up of 9 dairy farms (8,500 cows), 8 drystock/support blocks, plus 20,000 hectares in Tasmania with 4 dairy sheds (2,500 cows) and 20,000 head of cattle.
Nikki has a passion for agriculture and supporting companies that demonstrate good values around environmental and sustainable practices. With a strong commercial background, 20+ years in senior executive roles, she has developed excellent financial, project management and leadership skills.
Frances Beeston
Ashburton
M: 027 648 8379
E: [email protected]
Frances is a passionate advocate for the NZ dairy industry and rural communities, bringing over 20 years of dairy farming experience to her many roles as a mum, farmer, wellness advocate, mycoplasma bovis coordinator, business director, team member, and partner. She is dedicated to creating better outcomes for farmers and believes strongly in inclusion and collaboration.
As a member of the SRG, Frances is honored to represent LIC shareholders and is committed to hearing their views. She welcomes questions and feedback via contact details listed above. Together, we can ensure that our rural communities and farmers thrive!
Hadlee Cade
Turangi
M: 027 308 0581
Hadlee is a passionate advocate for New Zealand’s agribusiness sector and rural communities, with over a decade of experience in practical farming, operations, and leadership. He is currently the Senior Whenua Services Specialist at Te Tumu Paeroa, supporting Māori landowners across Aotearoa to achieve their agribusiness goals.
His career began on dairy farms and as an AB Assistant for LIC, before moving into leadership roles with the New Zealand Defence Force, where he developed expertise in operational leadership, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.
Hadlee is committed to farmer-led, sustainable solutions and welcomes engagement from landowners and stakeholders to help build a thriving future for rural New Zealand.
Interested in being involved?
If you’re passionate about the future of LIC and the co-op model, you can stand for election or express interest in being appointed to the SRG.
Elected members
To stand for election, you need to:
- Be a LIC shareholder
- Use at least one of the company’s herd testing options and/or GeneMark Whole Herd testing, and
- Submit a minimum of 60% of one of your herds for artificial breeding to semen marketed by LIC.
Elections are run by territories and rotate each year, alongside LIC’s Annual Meeting. Nominations are usually called for in May.
Appointed members
Appointed members bring additional experience and perspective from within shareholder businesses.
You’ll need to be connected to an LIC shareholder (for example, as a director, trustee, senior manager, or similar role within a farming business or entity).
Expressions of interest are typically called for in July, with appointments aligned to the Annual Meeting cycle. If you have any questions relating to appointed member process, please get in touch with your local SRG member, we’re here to help.
