Dani Darke has been re-elected as a Director for the North Ward on the Ballance Agri-Nutrients Board, with the result announced at the co-operative's 2026 annual meeting this week.
Jared Collie has also been re-elected, unopposed, as a Director for the South Ward.
Dani was first elected to the Board in 2020. Running a 630-hectare sheep and beef property in the King Country, she brings extensive experience across farming, agribusiness, finance and governance.
In 2025, Dani completed a Nuffield Scholarship, spending 100 days overseas visiting 16 countries, researching opportunities for New Zealand farmers.
Jared farms a 1400-hectare sheep, cattle and dairy property in Central Southland. He has more than 10 years' governance experience and spent a decade in rural and corporate banking, including three years as a managing partner at BNZ.
“I'm incredibly pleased to welcome Dani and Jared back for another term. They have been part of the Board through a period of significant change, and that continuity will be valuable as we focus on delivering the benefits of the decisions made through our strategic review,” says Ballance Chair Duncan Coull.
“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Nicola Boulsfield for standing in the North Ward and our shareholders for voting in the election. Having a choice of candidates is good for our co-operative and reflects the interest shareholders take in how Ballance is governed." says Duncan
Dani Darke
Dani Darke co-owns a 628-hectare sheep and beef farm in the King Country with husband Anthony. Dani is passionate about New Zealand's rural communities and wants to see them thrive into the future. She has strong networks throughout the agriculture industry, and brings expertise from across the sheep and beef supply chain. Dani holds a partnership role with Rural Coach. Dani holds a Bachelor in Agriculture from Massey University and is a former finance manager with ANZ. She has previously specialised in aviation credit with BP, and has been part of the executive leadership team with a meat processing organisation. Dani's governance experience includes Chair of the Mid Northern Beef + Lamb Council, OSPRI Associate Director, and Co-founder and Chair of the Agribusiness Growth Group.
Jared Collie
Jared Collie has over ten years’ experience in governance as well as ten years’ experience in the rural and corporate banking sectors, including three years as a BNZ managing partner. He and his wife Prue operate a 1,400 hectare sheep, cattle and dairy farm in Central Southland with their three boys. Jared is also an independent advisor for Arrow Dairy Ltd, a director of Benmore Downs Ltd, chairman of Platinum Dairies Ltd, and a facilitator for the Takitimu Discussion Group. He is also Deputy Chair of Salvation Army’s Jeff Farm, which trains cadets in practical farming skills.