In this RaboTalk Growing our Future episode, host Katie Rodwell speaks with Sam Bridgman, Head of Sustainability at Pāmu, about how New Zealand’s largest farming corporate is making sustainability practical and profitable across 112 farms.

Sam outlines the five key drivers shaping Pāmu’s approach and shares how strategy is being turned into on-farm action through tailored farm environment plans and regional sustainability support. In this episode, you’ll hear real examples of building income resilience through diversification and how Pāmu is mapping climate risks for every property out to 2050 and sharing these learnings with the wider sector.

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The Pāmu Mandate and Purpose

As a state owned enterprise, Pāmu must be a successful business that is profitable, efficient, and socially responsible. Sam explains their purpose: leading the delivery of sustainable agricultural solutions for future generations across a diverse portfolio including sheep, beef, dairy, deer, forestry, and horticulture.

Five Drivers of Sustainability

Sam identifies the key buckets driving their work:

• Market Requirements: Meeting low emission and nature-based standards for international customers.
• Compliance: Meeting domestic policy and local regulatory requirements.
• Risk and Opportunity: Accessing cheaper capital and managing long-term climate risks.
• Environmental Stewardship: Prioritising pest control and biodiversity protection.
• Brand and Reputation: Maintaining social license within rural communities.

Turning Strategy into Operational Action

Pāmu uses a regional model where sustainability advisors work alongside farm teams to implement national goals locally. Every farm operates under a tailored farm environment plan, providing a consistent baseline for regulatory and market assurance.

Diversification and Income Resilience

Strategic land use changes, such as transitioning a Northland property from dairy to avocados and berries, help stabilise income. These decisions are based on long-term climate scenarios and the opportunity to participate in high-value, diversified markets.

Climate Adaptation and Future Mapping

Pāmu has developed climate outlooks for every property through to 2050. These reports identify vulnerabilities like drought or extreme rainfall. This data is being shared with the wider sector via MPI to help all New Zealand farmers prepare for increasing volatility.

Collaboration and Research Trials

Through the St Kilda Feed Efficiency site and partnerships with AgriZero, Pāmu tests methane genetics and new emission-reduction tools. This acts as a bridge between lab research and commercial reality, getting practical solutions into farmers' hands sooner.

Future Trends: Nature as the Value Add

Climate resilience is becoming essential for accessing capital and insurance. Sam believes that while carbon is now the baseline, nature-positive credentials offer the next big opportunity for New Zealand to differentiate its products globally.

Final Advice: The Nature Opportunity

Sam’s message is one of practical optimism: sustainability and efficiency go hand in hand. By focusing on climate resilience and nature-based data, farmers can turn environmental challenges into a competitive advantage. Carbon is the minimum standard, but proving our nature-positive impact is where the future value lies.