Our Team

Beckie’s journey from growing up on a farm, to rowing for New Zealand at age group levels, studying and rowing at Stanford University, and now rowing for New Zealand at an elite level has taught her a lot.

Her childhood on the farm developed her love for the rural lifestyle and for nature. Rowing not only provided the space to be active, to be a part of a team, and provided a good excuse to get out on the lake but also taught the importance of hard work and discipline. Her many years in the sport has provided an array of experiences and opportunities to develop as an athlete and a person. Competing on the world stage at age group levels opened up her eyes to what the world has to offer and the pride that comes from competing for something bigger than yourself, in her case, for New Zealand.

Rowing also opened the doors to studying overseas. More specifically at Stanford University, one of the top rowing and academic universities. Studying Product Design taught Beckie that no problem is too big or small to solve. With effective communication, an open mindset, and by actually understanding the user, you can find the right solution to any problem.

She is currently rowing for New Zealand as an elite athlete, following her love for the sport and dream to compete at the Olympics.

The self-confessed sports nut grew up on a South Otago Farm in a multi-generational New Zealand farming family.

Paul’s life has been immersed in sports – from a playing, administration and media perspective. An Otago representative in three sports, he represented New Zealand in marathon for eight years.

Paul established the Otago Sports Awards in 1990, developed the judging criteria and convened the judging panel for 17 years. He was also heavily involved in setting the criteria and convening the judging for the South Otago Sports Awards held biennially. He is the former chief executive of Sport Otago and Central Lakes Trust and served on the Sport New Zealand Board and the New Zealand Masters Games committee, among many others.

Since the Halberg Trust Emerging Talent Award was established, Paul has been a member of the Awards Judging panel and was awarded Life Trustee of the Halberg Disability Foundation.

Sir David Fagan is a New Zealand sheep shearer from Te Kuiti. Fagan has won the New Zealand Golden Shears contest a record 16 times, as well as setting 10 world records and winning numerous other world and national titles. Fagan was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2016 New Year honours, following his last season on the shearing circuit.

Wiggy has had a career as an MC and commentator in the racing and rural sector. He commentated the FMG Young Farmer of the Year for six years and is a prominent voice for rural communities. He is the force behind the Whatever with Wiggy Charitable Trust and runs Lean on a Gate which promotes resources for the professionals, family and co-workers that work in positions that are often turned to for talking to a mate about mental distress.

Paul is the inaugural Lifetime Legacy Award winner at the New Zealand Rural Sports Awards Paul retired from competing in 2016 after a fall from a horse on his sheep and beef farm. Paul’s competition career spanned the 1990s to 2016. No one else has ever – or is likely to ever again – repeat the staggering number of wins and podium finishes he had through his 31-year competitive fencing career. He has under his belt 14 Wiremark Golden Pliers New Zealand National Singles Championship Titles, 12 Fieldays Silver Spades New Zealand National Doubles Championship Titles and two Patura World Power Fencing Champion Titles. In 2014 he was half of the first father and son (Jason) combination to win the Fieldays Silver Spades. Paul continues to help drive NZFC.

Ali Wieringa is a respected sports administrator, coach, and athlete with a deep commitment to athletic development from grassroots to the international level. She has been a foundational member of the NZ Rural Games (NZRG) team since its inaugural event in Queenstown.

Her career is distinguished by high-performance coaching roles, during which she has guided teams including NZA, the Magic, Northern Force, and various provincial and age-group sides. Her experience is comprehensive, encompassing governance and mentorship roles such as serving as the National Performance Director of Welsh Netball, a Netball NZ selector, a mentor for the Tania Dalton Foundation, and a judge for the Bay of Plenty Sports Awards.

Beyond netball, Ali is the Relationship Manager at the Aquatic Survival Skills Trust in the Bay of Plenty, the Co-Director of Kerali Golf – Golf Events Company, and a Board member of the Adastra Foundation.

Born and raised on the family farm in Walton, Ali’s favourite rural sport is Timbersports – however she’s not fussed on the Hotsaw! A former top-level netball athlete,  her extensive coaching and administrative career fuels her passion for helping others achieve their potential in sport and life.

James Stewart is a dedicated generational farmer actively involved in agricultural for over 20 years. Situated on the outskirts of Palmerston North City, James has cultivated a wealth of knowledge and expertise in farming practices. However, his journey extends beyond the boundaries of traditional farming.

James has explored other ventures throughout his career, including the tourism sector and farming politics. These experiences have allowed him to diversify and expand the family farming business, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit and versatility.

James effortlessly transitions between the vibrant networking scene of Palmerston North’s cafes and the serene environment of his farm. His passion for the Rural Games is evident through his role as a trustee, advocating for the concept of uniting country and city and fostering a sense of community togetherness.

When he’s not busy tending to his farm, James enjoys spending quality time with his family, indulging in his love for sports, immersing himself in reading, staying abreast of business and governance matters, actively engaging in environmental work on his farm and savouring a good cup of coffee.

James’s vast farming background, wide-ranging experiences, and authentic dedication to community involvement makes him a valuable asset, contributing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every project or event he takes on.

Ben Allomes is a dedicated award-winning Dairy and Beef Farmer from Woodville in the picturesque Tararua district. Alongside his wife Nicky and their four teenage children, Ben has established himself as a respected figure within the agricultural community.

Ben’s journey with the NZ Rural Games began with his early involvement in New Zealand Young Farmers, where he excelled as a grand finalist and later served as National President. His passion for empowering others and driving growth led him to contribute his expertise during his 8-year tenure on the DairyNZ Board, where he also held the prestigious position of Chair for the NZ Dairy Industry Awards Trust.

In 2018 Ben and Nicky won the Innovative Employment Practices Award and Minister’s Award at the Primary Industries Good Employer Awards.

He is a Board member of Food and Fibre CoVe, developed to promote excellence and innovation in vocational education.

Working closely with people and witnessing their personal and professional development has always been a driving force for Ben. Whether through competitions, education, or workplace engagement, he is committed to helping individuals thrive and excel in their endeavours.

Ben recognises the NZ Rural Games as an exceptional platform to showcase athletes’ remarkable talents and unwavering dedication within the rural sector. Moreover, he acknowledges its potential to inspire and engage future generations of farmers through programs such as Agri Futures and Clash of the Colleges.

With Ben’s unwavering dedication, extensive experience, and genuine commitment to fostering growth and celebrating rural sports, the NZ Rural Games continues flourishing as a vibrant and inclusive event.

James has explored other ventures throughout his career, including the tourism sector and farming politics. These experiences have allowed him to diversify and expand the family farming business, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit and versatility.

James effortlessly transitions between the vibrant networking scene of Palmerston North’s cafes and the serene environment of his farm. His passion for the Rural Games is evident through his role as a trustee, advocating for the concept of uniting country and city and fostering a sense of community togetherness.

When he’s not busy tending to his farm, James enjoys spending quality time with his family, indulging in his love for sports, immersing himself in reading, staying abreast of business and governance matters, actively engaging in environmental work on his farm and savouring a good cup of coffee.

James’s vast farming background, wide-ranging experiences, and authentic dedication to community involvement makes him a valuable asset, contributing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every project or event he takes on.

Kain is a dedicated educator and leader and his appointment to the Board of the NZ Rural Games Trust is a natural extension of his extensive work in bridging the gap between the education sector and the primary industries.

As the Assistant Head of Science at Feilding High School, Kain has driven the success of a wide range of student-led initiatives, from beekeeping and Teen Ag to the North Island Secondary School Shearing Championships. His strategic leadership and deep knowledge of the primary industries are further demonstrated through his previous role as junior vice president on the Horticulture and Agriculture Teachers’ Association Executive, as well as his current work as a contract assessor for NZQA and HUB Leader for the Manawatū.

Kain’s relationship with the Trust is already well-established, having led the Agri Futures Secondary School Teacher’s Advisory group, providing critical insight from the education sector.

Margaret Kouvelis is a powerhouse with diverse expertise spanning education, local government, business retail, and consultancy. With an impressive background encompassing over 30 years of experience, Margaret’s knowledge and skillset are second to none.

Margaret’s journey in education began as a science and biology teacher, eventually leading her to head Art and Music departments. Her passion for enhancing professionalism in teaching drove her to become the secondary school adviser to the Teacher Registration Board and the first CEO of the NZ Teachers Council. Seeking new challenges, she established her own company, Proed Services, which allowed her to monitor education reforms in Qatar and establish a performing arts department in a prestigious international school in Beijing.

After an eventful return to New Zealand following a bomb scare in Qatar, Margaret ventured into the business world. She successfully owned and operated the award-winning “Poppies”; an independent bookstore with branches in Feilding and Whanganui. Additionally, Margaret embraced public service, serving as the Mayor of the Manawatu District Council for two terms. Margaret was pivotal in driving regional growth through the Accelerate25 strategy during her tenure.

Margaret’s dedication to empowering young people led her to establish Talent Central, a charitable trust focused on providing meaningful education and training pathways to equip the next generation with informed choices for their future employment.

Margaret holds esteemed positions as the Chair of the NZ Rural Games, Te Manawa Family Services, Collective Intelligence, and Deputy Chair of Central Energy Trust. In recognition of her remarkable contributions to education and local government, Margaret was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2019.

With Margaret Kouvelis at the helm, you can trust in her wealth of experience, strategic leadership, and unwavering commitment to positively impacting education, community development, and rural engagement.

Richard Lange is a distinguished senior partner at Simpson Grierson, a renowned national law firm and a prominent supporter of the Rural Games. From the event’s inception, Richard has served as a trustee, driven by his enduring friendship with the founder of the Rural Games, Steve Hollander. Like many others, Richard was effortlessly drawn into Steve’s captivating web of vision and passion.

While Richard is typically attired in a suit and tie within the bustling confines of his Auckland office, his annual pilgrimage to the Rural Games has become a highly anticipated highlight on his calendar, offering a welcome change of pace. Despite lacking a rural background, Richard seizes the opportunity to engage with individuals in the rural sector and immerse himself in the quintessential New Zealand celebration. He finds this experience incredibly intriguing, rewarding, and a vital platform for fostering a deeper understanding between town and country.

As the self-proclaimed “token Auckland city-slicker”; on the trust board, Richard takes great pride in bringing a unique perspective. Additionally, as an avid golfer grappling with the intricacies of the sport, he finds the recent inclusion of the Rural Golf charity event to be an irresistible drawcard.

With his extensive legal expertise, unwavering support, and genuine commitment to bridging the gap between urban and rural communities, Richard is an indispensable asset to the Rural Games, inspiring confidence and driving its continued success.

Born and raised on a farm in South Otago, Athol Stephens knew early on that he had to chart a different path from farming. Being one of four boys, he knew that he would need to find an alternative career.

Accounting seemed like the logical choice, and it turned out to be a wise decision. The beauty of accounting is its portability, which allowed Athol to work in various locations around the world. He spent eighteen years in the UK and another seventeen years in the Middle East, working in the oilfield industry. Eventually, he returned to his roots and served as the Chief Financial Officer of Dunedin City Council for a remarkable 17 years.

Despite his extensive experience in the corporate and governmental sectors, Athol managed to retain his connection to farming. Memories of fencing, shearing, and haymaking stayed with him, enabling him to engage in conversations, up to a point, within the farming community.

The opportunity to help the New Zealand Rural Games Trust with governance and the Trust’s financials came about when the Rural Games were being planned. Initially, the Games were held in Queenstown, and Athol stayed with the Board when the Games moved to Palmerston North – “I’ve loved every minute of it,” he said.