Regional Leaders

Below are the Regional Leaders of the first Agritourism NZ Regional Network: Otago / Southland.
I'm in the 'background' dealing with the administration & website and supporting the Regional Leaders.
If you have any questions or are interested being a Regional Leader in your region, please email me: [email protected] .
We look forward to seeing you at our online and on-farm agritourism events.
Kind regards, Marijke Dunselman

What is the role of a Regional Leader?

Regional leaders are the local face of Agritourism NZ, helping to grow a connected, practical agritourism community in their area. They bring together farmers and rural tourism operators who are curious about agritourism or already hosting visitors, and make it easier for people to learn from each other on the ground. The role is designed to stay light and doable, focusing on connection and simple, valuable regional activity that supports the wider Agritourism NZ network.

Help organise and host a small number of on-farm regional gatherings each year (currently 2 in-person events per year)
Actively connect with operators through the Agritourism NZ Online Discussion Forum and online ‘Power Hour’ events.
Connect members and prospective members and help build a local network
Feed local insights, needs, and ideas back to the national team to inform training and support
Not act as a salesperson, compliance advisor, or the person responsible for doing everything; all administration and newsletters are carried out by Agritourism NZ
Regular communication with Regional Leaders in other areas.

Introducing our Regional Leaders:

Nic Ruddenklau

Nic Ruddenklau - Regional Leader Otago
Nic grew up on a dairy farm in Taranaki before studying and qualifying as a Legal Executive. After travelling abroad, she settled in North Otago and married a fourth-generation sheep and beef farmer. Together they have three children aged 12 to 21. She has been involved across dairy, cropping, and sheep and beef operations but her true passion lies with wool and agritourism.

Alongside farm life, she runs the Little Red School House, a unique agritourism stay on a working sheep and beef farm inland from Oamaru. Set in a beautifully restored 100 year old school, the experience focuses on authentic rural life, genuine hospitality and meaningful connection to the land with immersive farm experiences.

www.littleredschoolhouse.co.nz
Nic's email: [email protected]

Annabel Shadbolt

Annabel Shadbolt - Regional Leader Southland
Annabel Shadbolt was raised on a sheep and beef farm on Banks Peninsula, where her love for agriculture and tourism began. She studied Agricultural Commerce at Lincoln University before joining the sales and marketing team at Anzco Foods. A need for adventure took her to the Australian outback, working on remote cattle stations, followed by travels through Europe and Asia, and a return to Australia for a harvest season.
She eventually settled in the deep south, building a career in rural banking and insurance. It was there she met her partner, Cameron Burgess, and together they now live and work on his family’s sheep and beef property in the heart of the Catlins- Puketiro.
The farm is also home to two luxury accommodations—Beresford Heights and the newly opened Beresford Rise. Annabel is heavily involved in the day-to-day running of the farm, accommodations, food and farm tours. She and Cam are also beginning a new chapter as they've just had their baby girl, Molly Jean.
www.beresfordheights.nz
Annabel's email: [email protected]

Jo Shannon

Jo Shannon - Regional Co-Leader Otago/Southland
I was raised and helped out on our family sheep and beef farm at Waituna West, Northern Manawatu, North Island. Prior to moving south I worked for NZ Defence Force as a civilian worker in the Army and then the Navy, Senior Executive Assistant for Chief of Navy.
In 2021 we sold our farm and my daughter Catherine and her family, my sister Vicki, and I moved to Klifden farm (a sheep & beef farm), Ida Valley, Central Otago.
A year ago, I started an Agritourism business. We have a cottage and a spare room in our house and also allow freedom horse trekkers to ride around our property.
We have just sold our farm and now looking for a new farm and challenge.

www.klifdenfarm.com
Jo's email: [email protected]

Shaun Monk

Shaun Monk - Regional Leader Canterbury / Marlborough
Shaun and his partner Haley run a tourism venture at Island Hills Station in North Canterbury, offering self-guided multi-day hikes, farm stays, bring-your-own-horse trekking, guided hunting adventures, hunter training camps, and tailored outdoor experiences and events. Shaun holds an exclusive tourism lease with the Shand family, owners of the 5,500-hectare mountainous high country property.
An outfitter member of the New Zealand Professional Hunting Guides Association, Shaun is also an avid conservationist. The station includes 3,300 hectares of privately protected non-grazing covenant regenerating into native forest and alpine vegetation. He leads the Mandamus Reserve Charitable Trust, overseeing weed and pest control with a long-term goal of releasing great spotted kiwi. Shaun also organises the trust’s main fundraiser, the annual Skedaddle Trail Running Race, which attracts around 1,000 athletes and a range of sponsors.
Originally from South Westland near Fox Glacier, Shaun was raised around beef farming, crayfishing, and whitebaiting, and his family ran a remote Salmon Farm Café for 35 years. He holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Lincoln University and spent 26 years with AgResearch, including 16 years in senior management, working with farms across Australia, Argentina, Uruguay, North America, and Germany. In 2019 Shaun quit his career job and made the switch to Agritourism and is making the most of his love for the outdoors.
https://islandhillsstation.com
Shaun's email: [email protected]