Finalists for Ahuwhenua Trophy Announced
MEDIA RELEASE
26 March 2015
The three finalists for the 2015 Ahuwhenua Trophy BNZ Māori Excellence in Farming Award for sheep and beef were announced tonight at a function in parliament by the Minister for Primary Industries, Hon Nathan Guy. Two of the farms are in the East Coast region of the North Island and the other from the Far North. The three finalists are:
Mangaroa Station is in the Ruakaituri Valley, about an hour’s drive north west of Wairoa, and is typical hill country with virtually no flat land. The farm consists of 1,506 ha (1,250 effective) on which Bart and Nuku Hadfield run 6,200 Romney Perendale ewes, 2,000 replacement ewe lambs and 70 rams. They also run 500 Angus breeding cows and 400 heifers.
Paua Station is located about 80 km north of Kaitaia and 40 km south of the top of New Zealand’s Cape Reinga. It is owned by the Parengarenga Incorporation which is based in the small community of Te Kao. Paua Station consists of 2,430 ha of easy rolling coastal sand country on which are run 2,800 mainly Angus cattle and 7,000 sheep of which 6,100 are ewes with a 118% lambing percentage.
Maranga Station is a typical East Coast hill country sheep and beef property and lies about 30 km south west of Gisborne and is owned by Marty and Janice Charteris. The station consists of 850 ha (effective) on which are run 6,000 Romdale sheep and 1,200 Angus cattle plus 600 goats, which are mustered annually.
The Chairman of the Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee, Kingi Smiler says all three farms are worthy finalists who have demonstrated a commitment and determination to create successful farming operations that will not only benefit them but also their whānau. He says it is great to see whānau farms being rewarded for their hard work: “Like others, I am looking forward to attending the field days at these properties. The field days are great events and I urge everyone in the agribusiness sector to take a few days out of the office and go into the real country and see what people achieve in challenging conditions. They do a great job.”
Kingi Smiler says the Ahuwhenua Trophy has been a significant contributing factor in raising the profile of Māori agribusiness. He says the fact that consultants and investors have started chasing Māori agribusiness is a sign that we are on the right track.
“The Ahuwhenua Trophy has helped lift the bar behind the farm gate and we are seeing some amazing innovation taking place. The technology of many Māori farms is leading edge and they benchmark more than favorably with other farming operations in Aotearoa New Zealand. We are seeing much improved governance and leadership on our whānau businesses and this has led to top people being employed as advisors, managers and general staff,” he says.
Kingi Smiler says he takes great pride in what has happened and is sure that Sir Apirana Ngata and Lord Bledisloe who had the vision to create these awards would feel a similar sense of satisfaction. “Their goal was to unlock and unleash the potential of Māori farmers and it’s happening now on a daily basis,” he says.
Field Days
Field days will take place at each of the farms as follows:
- Weds 22nd April – Mangaroa Station, approx hour inland from Wairoa/Gisborne
- Thurs 30th April – Paua Station, 80 km north of Kaitaia
- Thurs 7th May – Maranga Station, 30 mins inland from Gisborne
The winner will be announced at the Ahuwhenua Trophy Awards Dinner in Whanganui, Friday 29th May 2015. For further information contact Peter Burke 021 224 2184.
Our thanks to our valued sponsors: BNZ, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Ministry for Primary Industries, Te Puni Kōkiri, Te Tumu Paeroa, Primary ITO, AgResearch, PGG Wrightson, Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Federation of Māori Authorities, AFFCO, Allflex, BDO, Polaris, Landcorp and Tohu Wines.
Please note:
Media are very welcome to attend the field days and awards dinner. The field days will take the form of presentations in the morning about the farms, lunch and then a tour of the respective properties. In the case of the two East Coast farms there are challenges in terms of providing transport for everyone around the farms. Because of the terrain only single rider quad bikes or special multi-seater vehicles can be used. There are strict health and safety rules around these. If any media wish to do the farm tours at the East Coast farms contact Peter Burke ASAP to see what can be arranged. At worst, pictures of the farms will be made available. In the case of Paua Station there is no such problem.
Once again, please note:
On the field days at Mangaroa Station and Maranga Station, quad bikes will be required to go on the farm tour. Attendees will have to bring their own bikes and fully comply with health and safety rules which will include the wearing of safety helmets and not carrying passengers on bikes.
However a programme explaining the nature of the farm will take place in the morning before the farm tour on these properties and for media, photographs will be available. There will not be any issue at Paua Station as the land is flatter.
