The Better Together Podcast

#3 - Ben Purua: From Gangs and life behind bars to award winning dairy farmer

FarmIQ & FARMAX Season 1 Episode 3

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0:00 | 46:33

Bens journey to farming is far from ordinary. He was bought up in a family deeply rooted in gang life. At a young age, he found himself in prison for a serious crime. The prison he was in had their own farm which Ben worked on, and he soon fell in love with the industry. With some ups and downs, Ben now manages a highly productive farm, winning Māori Farmer of the year through the Ahuwhenua trophy, and Farm Manager of the year through DairyNZ.

Bens story is an inspirational one. It is one of previous violence, self reflection, improvement and forgiveness. 

It goes without saying that this episode touches on some heavy subjects.