Morgan Falconer

For Morgan Falconer, working at Pāmu isn't just a job. It's the fulfillment of a childhood dream. Growing up with family at Pāmu and visiting Pāmu farms as a kid, it was always the main goal. Fast forward 13 years, and Morgan is now working on the very farm he used to visit as a child. 

After spending time in a busy airport check-in role, Morgan made the jump into dairy farming post-COVID, drawn by a lifelong love of cows and the appeal of working outdoors. The transition from managing queues indoors to standing in fresh lush grass with animals grazing and crops growing, with the sun on his back, couldn't be more different. And he wouldn't have it any other way. 

Te ao Māori plays a big part in Morgan's life as a dairy farmer. He strongly believes he should be trying his best daily to look after the whenua he's been provided, nurturing the cows into providing quality milk. This perspective shapes his daily approach to land and animal care. 

Three things stand out for Morgan in his role: 

• His love of cows. For some random reason, they have always been one of his favourite animals, so jumping into the dairy sector after COVID made perfect sense.
• Room to move up the ranks. Morgan loves how his role and what Pāmu provides in terms of upskilling and doing their best for staff to achieve farm excellence.
• Working outside. Morgan loves working outside. After years at a busy airport check-in, standing in lush grass with grazing cows and growing crops feels like a dream come true. 

For Morgan, caring for cows is key. Every morning, he tops up feed and moves cows to fresher pastures while also looking out for his mates, making sure everyone gets home safe at the end of the day. Excellence is holistic, encompassing animal care, pasture management, and team safety. 

Of Pāmu values, shoulder-to-shoulder stands out most to Morgan. Making sure his workmates and himself are safe at mahi, reporting health and safety issues, and ensuring everyone is well and getting home safe is key each day. This value shows in how he operates, always watching out for his team while managing his responsibilities. 

Morgan's best moment is ongoing: watching the milking herd grow at the start of the season. Nothing beats that feeling once every girl has calved, the farm is busy, and milk is pumping. 

In 2024, Morgan had the proud moment of bringing home Emerging Talent at NZDIA Manawatu and Rising Star Runner-up at the Moutoa Awards.  

Morgan sees himself hopefully making it to 2IC and Farm Manager within the next five years, running his own Pāmu dairy unit and continuing his journey in the Dairy Industry Awards. It's a clear pathway that builds on his current success and passion for the work. 

Morgan Falconer's story shows what's possible when childhood dreams meet adult determination. From visiting his childhood farm at Egmont, and moving to Ruapehu to take up 3IC, to now working as Dairy Assistant Production Manager, Morgan has come full circle. His transition from airport check-in to dairy farming demonstrates that it's never too late to pursue what you love. With his genuine care for animals, commitment to his team's safety, and recognition already coming his way, Morgan is well on his way to achieving his goal of farm management while staying true to the values that drive him every morning.