Craig Paton

For Craig Paton, there's no such thing as mediocre. Whether it's managing his first organic dairy operation or tackling the daily challenges that come with the role, Craig approaches everything with one goal: achieving golden standard. It's this drive that gets him out of bed each morning — well, that and his morning coffee. 

Starting with Pāmu earlier this year, Craig jumped straight into a management role at the Moutoa Complex. As someone new to both organics and Pāmu, he's surrounded himself with an awesome team who have welcomed him with open arms, answering questions and helping him navigate the unique demands of organic farming. 

Te ao Māori holds significant meaning for Craig in his work. He recognises that Māori are the ancestors of the land, and he considers it a privilege to farm the same ground they originally lived off and worked. This perspective shapes his approach to land stewardship and adds deeper purpose to his daily responsibilities. 

Three things stand out most for Craig at Moutoa: 

• The challenge of continuous improvement - Pushing himself and the farm to the next level
• Management freedom - Having the ability to make his own decisions and being fully backed by his Business Manager
• Milking cows - The hands-on work that remains at the heart of dairy farming 

It's this combination of autonomy, support, and staying connected to the practical work that makes the role fulfilling. 

For Craig, farming excellence means pushing for golden standard at all times. Mediocrity simply isn't in his nature. 

This isn't about reckless ambition. It's about refusing to settle, always asking what more can be achieved, and maintaining the highest standards in every aspect of the operation. Excellence isn't a destination for Craig; it's a daily commitment to doing things as well as they can possibly be done. 

Of Pāmu values, Craig relates most strongly to Genuine and Shoulder-to-Shoulder. He loves working with his team, and they genuinely motivate him to do a good job, stay authentic, and lead by example. 

This collaborative approach has been especially important as Craig navigated his transition into organic farming. The team's willingness to welcome him, share knowledge, and work alongside him has been one of his best experiences since joining Pāmu. 

Craig feels proud to work for Pāmu itself. Being selected to join a high-performing business validates his approach and reinforces his commitment to maintaining that golden standard. 

His Business Manager, Joel Peterson, plays a crucial role in this. Craig describes him as highly supportive and always pushing him to do better, exactly the kind of leadership that aligns with Craig's own drive for excellence. 

In five years, he'd like to be in a Business Manager role, or alternatively, sharemilking. Both pathways represent natural progressions from his current management position, building on the experience and skills he is developing at Moutoa while staying true to his passion for dairy farming. 

Craig Paton's story is about bringing intensity and commitment to every aspect of farming. From his respect for te ao Māori and the land's history, to his refusal to accept anything less than golden standard, to his appreciation for a team that pushes him to be better, Craig represents a new generation of farm managers who combine high standards with collaborative leadership. 

With support from Pāmu, a strong Business Manager backing him, and a team that shares his commitment to excellence, Craig is building a career defined not by shortcuts or compromises, but by the relentless pursuit of what's possible when you push things to the absolute limit.