Judges
Ahuwhenua Judges 2025 – Sheep & Beef
About the Judges
The Ahuwhenua Trophy judges play a vital role in the success of the competition. All are very experienced people who are able to accurately assess each entrant and provide valuable feedback to those in governance roles and those who are involved in the day-to-day management of the organisation.
The competition has two judging panels. The first-round judges have the task of selecting up to three finalists – in effect the short list. At this point the finalist judges become involved and they will select the eventual winner. The Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee greatly appreciates the support of those sponsors who have made top class horticultural experts available to judge the event.
Finalist judges
Tim Rhodes – Chief Judge
Tim Rhodes is an experienced agribusiness practitioner and executive with a proven track record in leading successful large scale agribusiness enterprises. He has a strong record of governance experience and has comprehensive agribusiness networks throughout the North Island.
Tim has over 20 years involvement in Māori agribusiness. Tim is currently the General Manager of Wi Pere Trust overseeing a sheep and beef operation encompassing 7,000 hectares. Wi Pere Trust won the Ahuwhenua Trophy, Excellence in Māori Farming Award in 2022 for the top Māori sheep and beef operation. Tim’s other roles include, member of Tairawhiti Whenua, Executive Director of Awhina Management Ltd, Chairman of Waipaoa Cadet Training Trust, Trustees of Moeangiangi Station Cadet Training Trust. Tim also sits on various advisory groups for Ministry for Primary Industries, Ministry for the Environment, Beef + Lamb New Zealand and Gisborne District Council.
Joni Takitimu – Te Puni Kōkiri
Ko Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Te Whānau a Apanui ngā iwi.
Joni is currently the Te Tai Hauāuru Regional Director for Te Puni Kōkiri.
She has a strong background in the development and implementation of innovative initiatives that build capability and readiness of whānau, iwi and hapū to achieve their aspirations. Joni is highly skilled in implementing Māori development initiatives and is a great advocate of whānau centred, iwi led, community driven kaupapa.
In her current role she leads a regional team focusing on regional economic development, community resilience and Whānau Ora. She is extremely passionate about ensuring the whānau voice is the main driver behind turning dreams into reality.
Prior to joining Te Puni Kōkiri in November 2024, Joni contributed to Māori development in leadership roles with Ngā Waihua o Paerangi Trust, Ngati Rangi, Te Taurahere o Ngāti Porou and Papakura Mārae Incorporated Society.
Rob Gemmell - BNZ
Rob Gemmell is a Client Director as part of BNZ’s Corporate Agribusiness team having previously had roles as an Agri Business Partner and Senior Partner in Whanganui, together with a National Agribusiness Property Valuation role.
Rob completed a B Com Ag (Val & Fmgt) at Lincoln University and worked as a Rural Valuer and Agri Banker in Tasmania and South Australia prior to returning to his hometown Whanganui. He considers it a privilege to be involved as one of the judges for Ahuwhenua 2025 having judged on three previous occasions.
Hilton Collier – Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Ngati Porou
Hilton is a Gisborne based agribusiness advisor and registered Farm Management Consultant whose professional career spans 40 years.
Of Ngati Porou descent, Hilton grew up on whānau lands where cows were milked to supply the Ngati Porou Dairy Co-operative. His grandfather was a product of the land management schemes promoted by Ta Apirana Ngata. Today these family lands are used for finishing Wagyu beef and lambs.
With his upbringing, he was well versed in the philosophies, innovation and approach of Ta Apirana Ngata. He also learnt the importance of monthly cream cheques that supported more than those directly involved with the running of the farm and as well as their many Pa.
He has been involved in various initiatives to uplift Māori farming including the Tairawhiti Land Development Trust and more recently the Tairawhiti Whenua Charitable Trust who collectively own almost 200,000ha.
Hilton has built an extensive network within Māori Agribusiness sector. He frequently participates in industry leadership discussions covering a range of issues where his insights and knowledge ensure the Māori Agribusiness sector has vocal advocate .
He is a supporter of the Federation of Māori Authorities where he leads Te Aukaha, their Policy and Advocacy Unit. The nature of Māori land ownership and Te Ture Whenua Māori means the circumstances of the Māori Agribusiness sector is not well understood by mainstream.
Hilton is a Director for Taiao Connect and continues to support the management of several large farming businesses throughout the Wairoa-Tairawhiti regions.
Rito Tapuke – Pou Māori Judge
Te Atiawa, Ngāti Mutunga, Taranaki Iwi, Ngāti Tama and Ngāti Paoa
Rito is the Chief Advisor Māori for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. He has held a range of different roles spanning management, strategy, general legal practice, policy and accounting in iwi, private and public sectors. Including the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. He also holds a number of governance roles in Māori trusts involved in housing and property development.
First Round Judges
Peter Ettema – Lead Judge
Peter has worked for the Ministry for Primary Industries - Manatū Ahu Matua (MPI) and its predecessors since 2005. He was brought up on a dairy farm in the Manawatu and has worked in the agricultural sector throughout his career, both in New Zealand and overseas. Peter is currently the Chief Advisor to the Deputy Director-General, Māori Partnerships and Investment at MPI. Peter has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and a Masters of Environmental Management. Key areas of his work include climate change, land and environmental management and extension capability across the primary sector.
Simon Charteris – BNZ
Simon is from a farming childhood and grew into a career in agriculture that included shearing, IT, farming and 30 years agribusiness banking. Simon is based in the Hawke’s Bay but has worked with a wide range of farming and agricultural business all over New Zealand. Simon particularly enjoys meeting new and enthusiastic people in the farming world, and with his experience, help them achieve their potential.
Pania King – Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Aio ki te nuku, aio ki te rangi, aio ki ngā mea katoa. Tihei mauri ora!
Ko Tapanaua, ko Kahuranaki, ko Te Upoko o Tahumatā ngā maunga.
Ko Tauranga, ko Ngaruroro, ko Ōkana ngā awa. Ko Wairewa te roto.
Ko Mataatua me Tākitimu ngā waka.
Ko Te Whakatāne, ko Ngāti Hinemoa, ko Ngāti Irakehu ngā hapū.
Ko Whakarae, ko Waipatu, ko Wairewa, ko Ruakapanga ngā marae.
Ko Ngāi Tūhoe, ko Ngāti Kahungunu, ko Ngāi Tahu, ko Ngāti Porou ngā iwi.
Pania and her husband Eugene King farm in the Motu, 72 km from Gisborne. They won the Ahuwhenua Trophy, Excellence in Māori Farming Award 2019 for sheep and beef.
Pania is currently Mātanga Whenua Māori Advisor for Beef + Lamb New Zealand, covering Te Tairāwhiti and Te Waipounamu. Pania is the Catchment Co-ordinator for Tairāwhiti Whenua Charitable Trust, and also the chairwomen of the Motu Catchment Group. Pania also supports numerous Ahuwhenua blocks and is the independent director for Pāea Partnership in Te Tairāwhiti.
