Tafi has been practicing as a farm business consultant with AgFirst Northland since 2016. He has over 20 years’ experience in the rural industry in roles that include managing or supervising dairy and crop farms, project management, delivery and management of extension, team leadership, banking and agribusiness consultancy implementing whole farm system solutions working in group settings as well as one-on-one.

‍Qualifications:
‍• Advanced Certificate in Sustainable Nutrient Management in New Zealand Agriculture, Massey University (2022)
• NZ Nuffield Scholar (2013)
• BSc Agriculture Honours, University of Zimbabwe (1997-2000)
• Diploma in Agriculture (1st Class pass), Chibero College Zimbabwe (1993-1996)
• Diploma in Training Management (IPMZ) Zimbabwe (2001)

‍Key Skills:
• Dairy systems review, benchmarking, strategic planning, farm supervision and leases
• Financial management – analysis, budgeting, cashflows
• Technical management – feed planning, regrassing, cropping programmes, reproduction improvement, certified body condition assessor
• Staff management – recruitment, selection, contract negotiation, performance planning and people management
• Communication skills – Toastmaster, coaching, group presentations and public speaking

‍Career History:
AgFirst Northland - Agribusiness Consultant (2016 - Current)
- Farm supervision absentee owners. Involved in all aspects of the business including Māori ownership for 4 dairy farms (2 current)
- Farm consultancy for over 20 regular businesses as well as one off work on financial budgeting, recruitment, land use change, property purchase
- Extension 350 project (5 years to 2022) with aim to improve profitability, sustainability and well being working with mentors in farmer : farmer change. Consultant to 19 businesses
- Beef and Lamb NZ contracted Extension Manager for Northern North Island for 8 months in 2020
- Red Meat Profit Partnership Extension 2018 – 2021
- Te Puni Kokiri – Productivity lift in Māori Businesses
- Contributed to Radio NZ weekly farming roundup

‍Rural Bank Manager, Rabobank (2015 – 2016)
- Managed a $50 million portfolio of dairy and beef clients to achieve goals for client profitability, client satisfaction and credit quality.
- Prepared and monitored budgets to ensure clients had adequate funding and kept within banking policy.
- Writing project proposals for bank funding and monitoring implementation of plans.

Northland Regional Leader 2009 to 2014 (DairyNZ) / Upper North Island Regional Manager 2007 – 2009 (DairyNZ) / Consulting Officer Whangarei and West 2004 – 2007 (DairyNZ and formerly Dexcel)
- Led a team of 7 to achieve regional adoption of on-farm practices, extending DairyNZ influence via networks.
- Facilitated over 500 farmer events group discussions, field days including chairing major national forums and stakeholder meetings
- Effective communication skills - regularly contributed to popular press including the Dairy Exporter, radio and farming weeklies.

Scientific Officer, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics – Matopos, Zimbabwe (ICRISAT), 2000 to July 2002
- Delivering participatory research in collaboration with small holder farmers, government extension officers and other development agencies

Farm Manager, various locations (1997-2000)
- Various capacities from project supervisor part time to full time Manager

‍General:
- Shareholder in lease dairy farm, Northland
- Small holder farmer leasing 100ha undertaking calf rearing, replacements

‍‍Projects:
• Nuffield project on Good to Great extension
• Signals for Land Stewards: Project for Our Land and Water National Science Challenges, part of team (2023)
• Online extension training delivery to Zespri staff across 5 countries, part of team (2021-2022)
• Red Meat profit partnership extension: facilitator coaching/observation team and facilitator of 5 groups
• Extension 350 farm consultant to 19 farm businesses aimed at lifting profit, well-being and environmental outcomes
• Review PGP investment by Ballance agri-nutrients (2016)
• Adoption strategy: Chairman 2009. Outcome was a strategy document on how to improve extension effectiveness at DairyNZ
• Co-Chair of Progression Group Development Team - project led to over 35 groups established nationally at DairyNZ
• Initiated a campaign at the start of the global financial crisis - ‘Tight Management for Tight Times’ (2008–2009). Components of the plan adopted nationally.
• Northland flood and drought team. Resources developed used nationally.
• Candy’s Focus Farm management team (2011–2014). Lifted production from 720 to 1,100 kgMS/ha, reduced farm costs by $1.40/kgMS from $5.10/kgMS leading to a profit of over $180,000.
• ReproRock Campaign Manager (2010–2014) - over 60 businesses improved 6 week in-calf rates (4% better than regional average) through extension delivery.
• New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management Council member (2010–2012)
• National Judge for Dairy Industry Awards - Farm Manager of the Year (2008–2010)
• Regional Manager - Northland Dairy Awards (2021)
• National Judge for Ahuwhenua Maori Dairy Farmer of the Year (2012 and 2014)

‍Publications:
‍• 2018 - Literature Review and Analysis of Farmer decision making with regard to Climate Change and Biological Gas Emissions. Report prepared for the Biological Emissions Reference Group.
• 2017 - Analysis of drivers and barriers to land use change. Report published by Ministry for Primary Industries.
• 2013 - Nuffield Scholar: Research Project title: Good to Great Extension – Influencing on farm change at pace and scale http://www.nuffield.org.nz/reports/report-details/item/good-to-great-extension/
• YouTube: presentation to Nuffield Australia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GwtgeI0KLA
• Numerous articles in local and national press on dairy farming