Abhishek (Jordie) Sharma

Every morning, Abhishek "Jordie" Sharma wakes up with a straightforward goal: to get the best out of his team, the cows, and the land. Farming is an industry that never stops changing, and for Jordie, that constant evolution is exactly what makes the job rewarding. 

As the Dairy Farm Manager at Halls Dairy Unit of Pāmu, Jordie approaches his role with a mindset deeply influenced by Te Ao Māori principles. For him, farming is about much more than hitting production targets; it is about kaitiakitanga. He views his team as caretakers, holding the responsibility to look after the land so it can continue to produce for future generations. 

Jordie initially joined Pāmu because he was looking for an organisation known for high standards and a commitment to developing its people. What he found was a platform to grow his skills, learn from experienced colleagues, and manage large-scale dairy operations. 

That commitment to continuous improvement recently culminated in a major milestone: winning the 2026 Central North Island Dairy Industry Awards’ Dairy Farm Manager of the Year. 

Three things stand out for Jordie in his role: 

• Working with animals. Seeing them perform well when they are well looked after. 
• Working with a good team. Achieving results together. 
• The challenge of farm management. Planning, problem-solving, and trying to improve systems to make the farm better every season. 

Seeing good results from the work they put in, whether it's production, animal health, or team performance, is really rewarding. 

Farming excellence, for Jordie, means doing the small things right every day and always looking for ways to improve. It means strong animal health, good pasture management, efficient systems, and a safe working environment for the team. 

Of all the Pāmu values, Jordie relates most strongly to Shoulder-to-Shoulder. 

He tries to lead by example, be available to help when needed, and make sure everyone feels part of the team. When people work well together, the farm performs better. 

With a major industry award now under his belt, Jordie is focused on the future. Over the next five years, he plans to continue growing within the dairy industry, with a goal of moving into contract milking or a similar role where he can manage a farm business, lead a team, and push farm performance even further.  

Jordie Sharma's story demonstrates that farming excellence comes from respecting the bigger picture. From his understanding of kaitiakitanga, caring for the land as temporary caretakers, to his shoulder-to-shoulder approach with his team, to his focus on doing the small things right every day, Jordie represents a new generation of farm leaders who balance high performance with genuine care for land, animals, and people. His award-winning results prove that this approach doesn't just create better workplace culture, it delivers measurable success.