Finalists for Ahuwhenua Trophy Annouced
MEDIA RELEASE
19 February 2014
The three finalists for the 2014 Ahuwhenua Trophy BNZ Māori Excellence in Farming Award for Dairy were announced tonight by the Minister of Māori Affairs, Hon Dr Pita Sharples at a special function at Parliament.
Two of the three finalists are from the Bay of Plenty, Putauaki Trust – Himiona Farm and Ngati Awa Farms Ltd – Ngakauroa Farm while the third finalist, Te Rua o Te Moko Ltd is from Taranaki.
The annual Ahuwhenua Trophy competition alternates between sheep and beef and dairy farming and the 2014 competition is for the top performing Māori dairy farm. Following their selection as finalists, they will then be subject to another round of judging which will include each of them staging a field day at their individual properties which will be open to members of the public. These will be held in March so that people can see the farms in action before the cows are dried off in the late autumn.
Congratulating the three finalists the Chairman of the Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee Kingi Smiler says all have clearly demonstrated that they have reached a very high standard not only in their farming operations but also in their commitment as kaitiaki of their lands. He says all of the finalists have been innovative in putting together the organisations that run their farms. He says all three have seen small trusts and whānau cooperating to create larger and effective commercial units, which is a model for the wider growth of Māori agribusiness.
“Māori farms always aim to be highly successful and profitable operations, but in doing this they do not compromise their commitment to key values such as caring for the land and their people,” he says.
Kingi Smiler says Māori are significant players in the New Zealand economy and particularly in the dairy industry. He says one Māori trust in Taranaki is Fonterra’s largest supplier of milk in that province.
“It’s worth noting that ten percent of the milk produced in the country comes from Māori farms. Māori are now processing and delivering their products directly to customers in the global market. Right around the country I am seeing Māori take new and bold initiatives to improve their farming operations,” he says.
The Ahuwhenua Trophy competition was inaugurated eighty one years ago by the great visionary leader, Sir Apirana Ngata and the Governor General at the time, Lord Bledisloe with the aim of encouraging Māori to improve their farming operations.
“The value and intent of both Sir Apirana and Lord Bledisloe remains as relevant today as it was eighty one years ago. While farming systems and technology have changed, the Māori value of kaitiaki of their lands for future generations remain.”
The winner of the 2014 Ahuwhenua Trophy will be announced on June 13 in Tauranga.
For further information contact Peter Burke, Communications Manager, 021 224 2184.
BNZ is the Platinum Sponsor for the Award. Gold sponsors are DairyNZ, Fonterra, the Ministry for Primary Industries, Te Puni Kōkiri and Te Tumu Paeroa. Silver sponsors are AgResearch, Primary ITO, PGG Wrightson and Ballance Agri-Nutrients. Bronze sponsors are Allflex, AFFCO, BDO, Ecolab, LIC, and Polaris. Sponsor support is also supplied by the Federation of Māori Authorities, Landcorp, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and Tohu Wines.
