Powered by
good people.

We’re excited to welcome Dom as the new General Manager for Surfing for Farmers, bringing the final piece to our leadership team and a wealth of experience to help us grow and strengthen our mission.

Dom is a senior commercial leader with over 15 years of experience driving growth and operational excellence across businesses in New Zealand and internationally. His career spans ANZ, UK, EU, and MENA regions, where he has led global sales and marketing teams, managed P&Ls, launched brands, and spearheaded international market expansion. His expertise includes business turnaround, strategic partnerships, and team development.

Alongside his impressive business background, Dom has a strong track record in community engagement and organisational growth, making him an ideal fit as we continue to expand our impact. Currently completing his MBA, Dom is also a former mountaineer and ultra-runner who remains passionate about the outdoors.

We’re thrilled to have Dom on board and look forward to the energy and expertise he brings to Surfing for Farmers.

Stephen saw his rural community struggling with the increasing pressures of life on the land and went about offering an outlet for the pressures …

“When I started SFF it was apparent there was a need for something to help farmers & growers get off the farm on regular occasions, and in today’s environment, the need is required even more.

It’s been very satisfying watching the progress of SFF over the past five years. Especially the uptake from the farmers themselves, the buy in from them is one of the key reasons we have been so successful.

In between selling rural real estate for Bayelys in Gisborne/ Wairoa and chairing SFF, I’m still involved in a number of other organisations around Gisborne.Well supported by my wife Nicole, we have 3-year-old Jasper, who loves adventures and a new born daughter, along with two springer spaniels and a handy heading dog.

The saying “do as I say not as I do” applies to me as I seem to talk more about surfing than do it at the moment, but I definitely enjoy getting out on the water be it surfing, fishing, skiing when we can slot it in.

Over the winter months I’ll be trying to sneak a quick duck shoot in or at the Ngatapa Rugby Club watching the lads have a run around in on the weekends.

If you haven’t had a go at SFF I encourage you to turn up, even if it’s just to cook the BBQ and have a yarn”.

Born and bred in the mighty Manawatū, I grew up on an intensive sheep, beef and cropping farm, surrounded by the outdoors and the strong sense of community that comes with rural life.
Mountain biking has always been a big part of my life. From using it as cross-training for motocross, to building jumps with mates around the farm, and now, in my later years, getting out on the bike as an outlet from work, a way to keep fit, and most importantly, have a bit of fun.

At 31, I’m lucky to be able to draw on my experience, networks and connections to help platforms like For Farmers connect our team with like-minded good buggers from across the rural community.

I’ve even got a surfboard now, so I’m looking forward to testing my capabilities in the water this summer!

See you out there!

Becs Dondertman with her husband for nearly 20 years. Both originally from the North Island they have been in Canterbury now for 12 years and reside with their three young children on an 1,100 cow dairy farm south of Dunsandel.

Originally studying Resource and Environmental Planning at Massey University, Becs has always worked within large scale corporate farming groups more recently moving into people and health and safety focused roles, currently working as the People and Wellbeing Lead for a farming group. Becs is committed to developing and providing the rural sector with tools to tackle the ever-increasing challenges, ensuring that education is the cornerstone to this development.

With a positive and pragmatic outlook Becs sees a role in Governance where she can provide strong, focused strategy to ensure better outcomes for the primary sector. Becs has previously chaired her local community-owned preschool and currently sits on the Dunsandel School Board. She is also involved in the industry wide group Safer Farms where she provides industry specific knowledge.

Hailing from Central Otago, Jonathan’s formative years were on sheep and beef properties. He studied Geography at Otago University and began working in Motueka for a Fruit Marketing company. Since then, he has had a varied career over the past 40 years holding senior management roles in several different industries including rural banking, Finance & Credit, and the Not-for-Profit Sector.

Married to Deb, they have two adult children, both residing in Hawkes Bay and have lived here for the past 25 years.

Jonathan has a passion for the rural community and the rural industry having spent most of his working life in this area.

He is currently on the Board of Health Hawkes Bay and has held other governance roles in the past. He is also the Hawkes Bay Coordinator for the East Coast Rural Support Trust.

He is currently on the Board of Health Hawkes Bay and has held other governance roles in the past. He is also the Hawkes Bay Coordinator for the East Coast Rural Support Trust.

Hearing about Surfing for Farmers a few years ago it was highly disappointing that it had not yet made it to the West Coast. After enquiring, I was told they were waiting for someone to come along to run it! That’s where my journey with Surfing for Farmers started and I am privileged to be the coordinator for the Greymouth region but now also to be a Trustee for the charity.

I’m no surfer (at a stretch I can possibly claim this now) but my family and I have always had an affinity with the ocean. Myself and my wife Abby, along with our 3 kids, farm along 4km of beautiful West Coast coastline. As a Dairy Farmer and a farm owner/operator I know 1^st hand the pressures that farming life can bring and how important it is to have some balance, have an excuse to get off the farm, have a yarn with like-minded people, get the heart rate going, and at the same time even learn a new skill. Surfing for Farmers offers all of this and the proactive approach the program brings to the mental health of farmers and rural communities is very unique.

It’s been inspiring to see the growth of Surfing for Farmers over its first seven years, witness its impact on the community and hear awesome stories from all around the country. I look forward to being part of the charity as it enters its next chapter and helping many more farmers achieve ‘the perfect break.’

Jody is a born and bred Southlander.

After graduating from Lincoln and spending some time travelling overseas for a couple of years the call of home was strong.

Together with husband Callum and two young sons Riverton is now home, the southernmost Surfing for Farmers location.

Jody has nearly 15 years’ experience in rural banking across a variety of roles including relationship management, credit risk and leadership which provides some great foundational skills transferable to Governance.

Alongside her banking role, Jody is a business owner with her husband and involved in several volunteer roles within community including BoT at the local school.

Jody has a strong connection and affinity to rural communities and is keen to invest her time in contributing to the ongoing success of Surfing for Farmers and the positive impact this initiative is having across the country.

A struggling and very much beginner when it comes to surfing, but loves a dip in the ocean and the mental clarity this can provide.

Jody is excited to join the Surfing for Farmers team and to help contribute to the wellbeing of our rural communities.

I hail from Ruawai, Northland, where I grew up on a dairy farm and later completed a BAgriSci at Massey University.

My career has primarily been with Ballance Agri-Nutrients in various roles, culminating in my position as Regional Sales Manager for the Northern North Island.

Currently, I have paused my corporate career to study psychology, aspiring to become a Registered Psychologist with a focus on improving the mental fitness of our rural communities.

I have helped a group of volunteers establish three Surfing for Farmers locations in Northland, all of which are thriving and well-received by the rural community.

I am deeply passionate about Surfing for Farmers and am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this incredible cause at a national level.”