The 18-year-olds from Milton have been competing since the age of 12. Millar, who attends John McGlashan College, said this was their third year competing as a team, but altogether they had been in six grand finals.
"Between the two of us, we have won the regional final for six years now," Columba College pupil Zoe said.
"We just never managed to win the grand final.
"It was nice to finally get it."
The duo said in previous years they had not been able to give the preparation work required for the competition "110%" because of school and sports.
However, this year was their final chance to secure the junior title.
"This year it was definitely more like ‘we are going to make an effort and put in the work’," Zoe said.
The competition required the pair to undertake a series of tasks, including a one-hour exam, a written essay, a maths section, short and multi-choice questions, a speech, a full day of practical farming sessions and an intense buzzer quiz.
"We did a lot of practice for [the buzzer quiz]. We had, like, 2000 practice questions.
"But, yeah, they are always going to ask things that you haven’t studied for," Zoe said.
The twins were planning to attend university next year, so "it was a good send-off", Millar said.
- The next generation of young farmers, the AgriKidsNZ competitors also tackled a range of challenges during the event.
Charlie said it was awesome that all the effort the team put in had paid off.
"I think it’s fair to say we’re all feeling really happy with the win.”
Three Western Girls team members, Sierra Bennett, Elly Hurley and Sophie Parris, of Hauroko Valley School in Clifden, Western Southland, were the runners-up.
Hauroko Valley School pupils Sam Horrell, Oliver Chamberlain and Tomas Clarke, of team Southern Boys, placed third.
Tomas took home the title of Contestant of the Year.
