Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer winner announcement

MEDIA RELEASE - By Jodi Tzitziras on May 30, 2015

Hannah Wallace from Wairoa was crowned the 2015 Young Māori Sheep and Beef Farmer of the Year at the Ahuwhenua Awards last night in Whanganui.

The 22 year old is the first female to ever win the Young Māori Farmer competition. Te Tumu Paeroa Chief Executive Jamie Tuuta presented the award and he, along with Minister Nathan Guy, acknowledged the strong female presence in this year's competition signalling a new direction in leadership.

Hannah thanked the sponsors, committee and judges of the Ahuwhenua Trophy for their support and congratulated her fellow finalists: Taane Hubbard, also from Wairoa, and Hemoata Kopa from Matawaia in the Bay of Islands.

Hannah works as a Shepherd General and splits her time between two sheep and beef properties. On a typical week she works three days on the family property which is owned and managed by her parents Richard and Harmony Wallace. It runs 5600 stock units across 1500 hectares. The rest of her time is spent managing Rotanui Station, a part of farm incorporation Te Whakaari, with her partner Jeremy.

Competition judge Mark McManaway from Allflex said Hannah's strong conviction to the sheep and beef industry was admirable and one of the key reasons she was named a finalist. "Even though she'd spent time working on dairy farms and been tempted back many times by former employers, it was apparent that her true passion was sheep and beef," said Mark.

In her early career she did a brief stint dairy farming and was an entrant in the 2012 Young Māori Dairy Farmer competition. She says that although she enjoys both types of farming, her dogs are what motivate her to stick with sheep and beef.

Lead Judge Peter Little from Te Puni Kōkiri said a significant attribute that stood out in all the finalists this year was their dedication and commitment to career development.

"All of this year's entrants were completing a course of study and already planning for future education and employment opportunities," he says.

"Each of them made the commitment at an early age to leave home and enrol in training and associated work experience. It's not easy for 16, 17 and 18 year olds to decide to move to another part of the country, pursue a career, and commit to the training required to achieve their ambitions – I was impressed."

Hannah has been training with Primary ITO since 2011 and last year completed her Level 4 National Certificate in Sheep Farming.

Like many passionate young farmers, owning her own farm is her dream but for now she wants to continue to develop her skills and enrol in the Diploma in Agribusiness Management to learn about the "finance side of farming."

Hannah is also a member of the Wairoa Young Farmers Club and contributes to the Wairoa Rodeo.

For more information about the Young Māori Farmer Award or to arrange an interview with Hemoata Kopa, please contact Jodi Tzitziras on 04 381 7820.