Take the opportunities life presents, even if the timing is not ideal, is among the advice Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy has for members of the Bay of Plenty Future Leaders Group.

When he was first approached become National Party list MP, Nathan says he almost turned the offer down.

Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy tells Future Leaders Group members to take opportunities when they arise.

'Erica and I had a young family, I was enjoying farming and local politics. I said ‘I'd think about it in 10 years' time'.”

However, a meeting with Bill English, now Deputy Prime Minister, caused the couple to reconsider and in 2005 Nathan entered Parliament as a list MP, he told the members of the group he joined for lunch at Bruntwood Farms in late-February.

While he had strong interests in local politics, the possibility of being able to make a difference at a national level, through government, had significant appeal.

Nathan wasn't new to politics. Before entering Parliament, he had served eight years on the Horowhenua District Council following in the footsteps of his father, who had been the district's mayor.

In parliament Nathan has been Junior and Senior Whip prior to becoming a Minister in 2009. He won the Otaki Electorate seat in 2008 and has continued to grow his majority.

Since 2009 he's been the Minister of Internal Affairs, Immigration and Veteran Affairs, as well as the Associate Minister of Justice and Transport. Nathan has been Minister for Primary Industries and Racing for more than three years.

Leadership takes many forms, he told the meeting. 'Get involved, stand for something. If you have children, stand for the school Board of Trustees, or take leadership roles in your industry sector.”

He also encouraged group members to do what they could to inspire young people to enter the industry by outlining the diverse career opportunities horticulture offers.

The aim of the Future Leaders Group is to develop potential future leaders of the horticultural industries by engaging them through regular learning, networking and social activities.

To find out more, see: www.nzkgi.org.nz/careers/future-leaders.aspx