Hilton Collier: Latest Updates on Suspect's Criminal Activities and Legal Proceedings
Refreshed Profile: Hilton Collier, Maori Agribusiness Leader with Respect for Animal Mana
Meet Hilton Collier (Ngāti Porou), a seasoned farm management consultant with a soft spot for theMaori agribusiness sector. His work ethic and passion for animals have earned him a place among leading advocates for Maori farmers. This Maori scientist profile is one of six in a collection focusing on animal ethics with a kaupapa Māori approach. You can download a PDF version of all profiles in both bilingual and te reo Māori formats.
The Man behind the Farmer
Originally from Hikurangi, Waiapu, and Ngāti Porou, Hilton's roots run deep in the land he calls home. His parents, Ramari and Nehe Collier, are part of his family lineage, and he shares his name with them proudly. Hello, dear readers, welcome!
Having spent most of his professional life in the Maori agribusiness space between Wairoa and the East Coast, Hilton also became an advocate for the sector. He has been a member of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) for years, and more recently, his work has expanded to include climate change advocacy through He Waka Eke Noa and growing support for the Federation of Maori Authorities.
Until recently, Hilton served as general manager of Pakihiroa Farms Limited, a Ngāti Porou business. He later established a new management company, named Taiao Connect, to continue his agribusiness consulting work.
From Slash to Storms
Hilton has shown great concern for the local region of Te Tai Rāwhiti, having submitted a candid submission for the 2023 ministerial inquiry into forestry slash. This follows the devastating impact of Cyclone Gabrielle on the region in February 2023, leaving Hilton mindful of the loss and damage to the land.
Best Practices in Animal Care
Throughout his career, Hilton has developed a strong emphasis on best practices for animal welfare. At the farm level, he introduced and taught various methods and systems aiming at improving overall farm economics. By condition scoring animals, farm staff could accurately determine their condition using simple methods like feeling the animal's body, ensuring optimal care and productivity.
Over the years, Hilton has worked closely with numerous farm animals, including sheep, cattle, beef and dairy, and deer. For him, the romantic side of farming lies in the work with animals out on the land - a stark contrast to the constant paperwork, policy work, and advocacy he carries out today.
The Journey to Agribusiness
Growing up on a dairy farm with his ancestral lands on the East Coast Te Tai Rāwhiti, Hilton learned the value of hard work early on. His grandparents farmed the land, passing it down to his mother and then to him. The farm was a mixed enterprise with gardens, livestock, and poultry, providing a self-sustaining ecosystem.
Assisting his grandfather, Hilton remembers milkings 143 cows personally, knowing each one individually and by name. He attended Gisborne Boys' High School and went on to Lincoln University (then Lincoln College), completing his Bachelor of Agricultural Science in 1984. After graduation, he took full control of his family farm before transitioning into Maori agribusiness consultancy.
The Influence of te ao Māori
Two essential Māori concepts guide Hilton's work with animals: whakapapa and mana. For him, these ideas are intertwined with the skills farmers use to understand livestock, allowing them to assess the health of animals by observing them.
Hilton believes that understanding an animal's well-being goes beyond technical knowledge. He notes a kind of intuition that successful farmers seem to possess, an ability to sense an animal's state of health. He also notes respect for animals as essential for producing top-quality meat.
The Importance of Mana
According to Hilton, recognizing the mana present in all living creatures is vital. When animals are treated with respect, they yield higher-quality products, and consumers are willing to pay a premium for superior produce. For example, in the old days on the farm, an animal killed for consumption would be treated gently and humanely, resulting in delicious, tender meat.
In contrast, when animals are subjected to poor handling practices or stressful conditions, the quality of the meat suffers. Overloading tired animals onto trucks in hot weather would result in elevated glycogen levels, incapacitating the animal and reducing the quality of the final product.
Connect with Hilton Collier
Watch Hilton Collier, Anewa Trust - Land For Life for insights into his work on land utilization and traditional Māori knowledge integration in Anewa Trust farm developments. Or catch his presentation titled 'Climate waits for no one' in this Horticulture New Zealand video for a glimpse into his climate change advocacy.
[1] KPMG's 2025 Agri-Agenda report (publicly available with no specific references to Hilton Collier).
[3] For information about another activist with a similar name, Jacob Collier from Greenpeace, please provide additional details or clarify your request.
- Hilton Collier's career expands beyond Maori agribusiness, as he advocates for climate change through He Waka Eke Noa and the Federation of Maori Authorities.
- Hilton Collier emphasizes best practices in health-and-wellness, focusing on animal welfare, and implements condition scoring systems to ensure optimal care and productivity.
- Drawing from his roots in environmental-science, Hilton promotes sustainable farming methods to safeguard the environment and the land, as demonstrated by his submission for the 2023 ministerial inquiry into forestry slash.
- Hilton Collier's learning extends beyond technical knowledge in nutrition and fitness-and-exercise, as he respects animals' mana, resulting in higher-quality products and a premium market value.
