^{Back L-R:John O’Brien, Rex Anderson, Wayne Hall, Ratahi Cross, Te Hira Pere, Hon Willie Jackson
Front L-R:Ray Hiki, Helen Scott, Trudy Meredith, Riri Ellis, Kingi Smiler
Photo: Alphapix Photography.}

The finalists in this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy for the top Māori horticulturalists have been announced at a special function held at Parliament today by the Minister of Māori Development, Hon Willie Jackson.

The finalists are:

• Ngai Tukairangi Trust;
• MIL – Whiritoa Orchards; and
• Wi Pere Trust

Ahuwhenua Trophy is the most prestigious award for excellence in Māori farming and was inaugurated 90 years ago by the great Māori Leader, Sir Apirana Ngata and the Governor General at the time, Lord Bledisloe. The objective was and still is to encourage Māori farmers to improve their land and their overall farming performance with an emphasis on sustainability. On a three-year rotational basis, the Trophy is competed for by Māori in the horticulture, dairy and sheep and beef sectors.

This is only the second time the competition for horticulture has been held.

Nukuhia Hadfield, Chair of the Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee, says the competition committee is very mindful of the disastrous consequences of Cyclone Gabrielle, not to mention the numerous other adverse weather events that have affected the sector in the past six months. She says that before Cyclone Gabrielle struck, the judges were able to visit the properties of all the entrants and selected three excellent finalists.

Nukuhia Hadfield says the current situation means likely changes to the judging process, however all agree that it is possible to hold the competition and determine a winner.

“We have selected three incredible finalists, all of whom could be worthy winners of the Ahuwhenua Trophy for Horticulture. Before Cyclone Gabrielle struck, they had to deal with the ongoing effects of Covid-19, shortages of labour and logistical issues. They have already proved their resilience and determination to work their way through adversity, although dealing with the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle is a much higher mountain to climb,” she says.

Nukuhia Hadfield says the finalists along with all the other entrants have made a significant contribution to the economic success of Aotearoa which is not widely known or recognised. The aim of the Ahuwhenua Trophy competition is to follow the vision of Sir Apirana Ngata and Lord Bledisloe by changing this narrative and showcasing our success to the wider public.

The winner will be announced at the awards dinner held on 9 June 2023 at the Trustpower Baypark Stadium, in Tauranga.

Field Days

Please note these dates are to be confirmed in light of the ongoing assessment of the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle. Further information will be issued in due course.

 Our thanks to our valued Ahuwhenua Trophy sponsors: Te Puni Kōkiri, the Ministry for Primary Industries, Te Tumu Paeroa, BNZ, NZ Māori Tourism, Horticulture New Zealand, Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Fruitfed Supplies (PGG Wrightson), Plant & Food Research, Zespri, BDO, Massey University, FMG, New Zealand Fruitgrowers Charitable Trust and WorkSafe.

A big thanks also to sponsors of the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower Award: Te Puni Kōkiri, Te Pūkenga Work Based Learning Limited (Trading as Primary ITO), Te Tumu Paeroa, United Fresh New Zealand Incorporated, WorkSafe and Muka Tangata People, Food and Fibre Workforce Development Council.