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Samantha Kilgour

Operations Manager

From Helicopters to Heartfelt Leadership

A Unique Path to Pāmu 

For Samantha Kilgour, the path to becoming the Operations Manager at Central Farm Services was not exactly a straight line. After studying Finance and International Business at university, Samantha had plans to head overseas - but life had other ideas. After meeting a farmer at university, she was drawn back to rural New Zealand and ultimately to Reporoa, where her connection to farming truly began. 

Beginning her career post university in helicopter maintenance, then travelling to all 7 continents, Samantha eventually found herself drawn to a role that perfectly blended her unique skills: farming, maintenance, and a genuine love for getting things organised. 

Living next door to a Pāmu farm in Reporoa with her husband and children, Samantha had a front-row seat to the transformation of Wairakei Pastoral from forestry into a thriving dairy operation. When a role opened up, she jumped at the chance to be part of it. Her trajectory at Pāmu has been nothing short of impressive, starting as an Operations Coordinator, stepping up as acting Workshop Manager just two months later, and stepping naturally into her current role as Operations Manager. 

“I like to be the person that anyone can trust or rely upon. Wherever I can help the team, suppliers, or other farm staff, I will.”

Driven by People and Purpose

At her core, Samantha is driven by the people around her. While she jokes that ice cream and chocolate are prime motivators for getting out of bed, it is really her young kids, along with the joy of seeing her colleagues happy and thriving, that keep her energised. 

For Samantha, working at Pāmu means being part of a community. Of all the company's values, she resonates most deeply with working Shoulder-to-Shoulder. She thrives on the variety her day brings, whether that means meeting new people, driving cool initiatives like the Pāmu Women's Network and Skills Day, or simply lending a hand where it is needed most. Her approach to te ao Māori reflects this same grounded ethos, focusing on a fundamental respect for people, the land, and Māori culture. 

“Working life with a two and four-year-old is a lot of fun, and busy, but we make it work. I feel really lucky that Pāmu values their staff enough to allow flexibility after coming back from maternity leave. It made a huge difference and allowed me to return to work.”

Cultivating Farming Excellence

When asked what 'farming excellence' looks like, Samantha's answer is simple: being at the top of your game and consistently exceeding expectations. Her own achievements speak for themselves, with her family farm winning the prestigious Te Ara Miraka awards for six consecutive years. For Samantha, nothing is more fulfilling that receiving positive feedback about her team.  

She also highly values the personal and professional growth she has experienced along the way. A standout highlight of her time at Pāmu has been attending the Nature of Leadership training in Wellington. For Samantha, the opportunity to step away, learn new skills, and connect with a talented pool of people from across the wider Pāmu network is a vital part of what makes her job so rewarding.

“In five years, I see myself still in Reporoa, leading a great team and motivating people to achieve their best. By then, my kids will both be at school, and that scares me a little!”

The Balancing Act

Balancing a demanding operational role with a busy family life takes a special kind of energy, but Samantha tackles it with a trademark mix of capability and good humour. Whether she is solving a complex operational issue or cheering on her team, Samantha is a testament to what happens when you combine practical skills with a genuine care for the people around you. 

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