Jan 30, 2026
The end of 2025 saw two deer industry stalwarts honoured with being appointed Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit for contributions to the deer industry: Graham Carr, of Geraldine, and Andy Macfarlane, of Ashburton. As the appointments indicate, both men have played key roles over the years and are highly regarded for their efforts to see the entire industry thrive.
DINZ asked DINZ Board Chair Paddy Boyd and DINZ CEO Rhys Griffiths to say a few words about each recipient.
Congratulations to both Graham and Andy for their awards and our greatest appreciation for all the time and effort they have contributed toward the advancement of the deer industry.
Graham Carr
Graham Carr
Paddy Boyd:
Graham Carr came to New Zealand many years ago, since then playing a founding role in our industry and contributing to the industry’s advancement in several ways.
His dedication to breed perfection and animal health and welfare is to be highly commended, with the results of this commitment on display annually at Peel Forest Estate open days. He is always quick to offer up Peel Forest for any activity that can promote or enhance the deer industry or those in it, which can be seen from the sheer number of field days, working group days or visiting delegations over the years.
I was pleased to see Graham recognised for his contributions to our industry in the end of year honours, and I feel it is an appointment well-deserved.
Rhys Griffiths:
Graham was on the Board when I started at DINZ back in 2008. He has never been afraid to put his money where his mouth is and has invested heavily into the deer industry over the years. From establishing Peel Forest Estate, with its multiple highly successful business streams; to PFE stud, providing excellent genetics via embryo transfer and AI; to the largest velvet herd in the world; to the more recent foray into deer milking, these all reflect Graham's pioneering and innovative spirit.
Even after Graham left the Board, he was never shy in reaching out when he saw issues or opportunities for the deer sector, much of the time in areas that wouldn’t necessarily have a direct impact on him but instead for the good of the industry. His ever-present desire for the entire industry to thrive is why Graham is a well-deserved recipient of these honours.
Andy Macfarlane
Andy Macfarlane
Paddy Boyd:
My first involvement with Andy Macfarlane was when he came on board as the farm advisor for Haldon Station in 1993. His immense agricultural knowledge and connections within the sector allowed Haldon to grow our business into a high-performing high country property with strong attention to land and financial sustainability.
Andy was asked to put himself forward to the DINZ Board at a time when practice change was required within the industry to drive on-farm production to help achieve better bottom lines on New Zealand deer farms. The easy manner and constant energy that he brought to the role never ceased to amaze those that worked alongside him. His overarching ability to look at whole business systems, plus those that work within them, leads to positive change in everything he gets involved in.
Acknowledgement must be given to his wife, Trish, and their family for having supported Andy solidly, allowing him to contribute seemingly endless hours of input to our industry over many years.
Rhys Griffiths:
Andy came onto the DINZ Board in 2010 and went straight into the Board Chair’s seat. That’s just the kind of guy he is and the standing he had, and still has, in our industry. I think that the quote “If you want a job done well, give it to a busy person” was made for Andy, who threw himself into the job despite numerous other time commitments.
Always thinking and interrogating the status quo, Andy operated at 100 miles per hour, mostly with a massive smile, even when challenging a situation. He was the Chair responsible for securing the Passion to Profit (P2P) programme and instrumental in the launch of the Advance Party programme, which was a real success at the time. Andy has kept in touch over the years, and I enjoy our infrequent conversations. A man with massive mana, truly befitting these honours.
