Lynda Balfour was born and schooled in the Wairarapa, then completed a Bachelor of Business Studies at Massey University.  Lynda has run a successful rural health and safety business for the last 10 years, also completing her Health and Safety Coordination Level 4.  Previous to that, she was a Bank Manager at ANZ, Smithton, Tasmania for 3 years.  Her experience dealing, and relating to, and dealing with clients in the rural industry, and being involved in the industry herself, is a strong point in her appointment as Coordinator.

Born and raised on a sheep and beef farm in the Wairarapa, and now farming in Pongaroa with her husband, James, and 3 sons, Lynda understands the demands on farmers and stresses that the industry is facing. Her passion to assist the industry, and bringing her experience to help make things as seamless as possible, is a real driver for her.

The freshwater environment is exciting, as her passion to see her boys enjoying our rivers and streams – catching ‘crawlies’, eeling, and seeing our ecosystems thrive, has seen her develop a real interest for fish passage in her role. When Lynda isn’t working, she enjoys gardening, running, and being outdoors.