IN THE FIELD: Attendees learn about operations at Otama Marere Trust, one of three finalists in the 2026 Ahuwhenua Trophy Competition.
Great field day for Ahuwhenua Trophy Finalist
More than 200 people turned out this week to a field day hosted by Otama Marere Trust – one of three finalists vying to be the top Māori horticulture entity in the 2026 Ahuwhenua Trophy competition.
“It was fortunate weather made for a great turnout and the positive feedback from people was welcomed especially about the wetland area,” Otama Marere Advisory Trustee Diane Berghan says.
“People were able to see that we are not just about growing kiwifruit but also about how we restore the land and what we give back to the land.
“The day was also about acknowledging the owners of Otama Marere and the support they give the trustees, and the decisions they are making now for future generations.”
Otama Marere Trust manages 45 hectares of Māori freehold land at Paengaroa near Te Puke in the Bay of Plenty and takes its name from the pā site once occupied by Rangiiwaho and his whānau. Established as an Ahu Whenua Trust in 1979, the land was leased for a 60-year term to Te Puke Golf Club before orchard development began in the 1980s under Sir Peter Tapsell's leadership.
Today's operations include more than 21 hectares of kiwifruit, avocados, native plantings, and 6.3 hectares of protected wetlands. The Trust diversifies through commercial property investment and Māori partnerships.
Guests heard presentations about the Trust’s history, operations and aspirations before being taken on a brief tour of the orchard to see some of the developments taking place.
Ahuwhenua Trophy Chair Nukuhia Hadfield praised Otama Marere Trust for running an enjoyable field day.
“Otama Marere has worked hard in establishing a diversity of crops on orchard with an improving productivity trajectory, and they have taken a leading role in growing SunGold G3 - as one of the first Māori owned orchards to grow this crop.
“They first entered kiwifruit production in the early 1980s, accepting the challenge of developing a new horticultural venture that has since grown into one of the region’s most successful operations.”
“This gave attendees a picture of what they have achieved by hard work and determination over many years,” Hadfield says.
While severe weather forced the cancellation of the first field day at Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective in Te Puke, the competition remains unaffected as judging had already been completed the day before.
The third and final field day will be held at the Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust property at Kerikeri in Northland on Thursday 23 April.
The overall winner will be announced at the awards dinner on Friday 5 June in Whangārei.
Our thanks to our valued Ahuwhenua Trophy sponsors
Platinum: Te Puni Kōkiri and the Ministry for Primary Industries
Gold: Te Tumu Paeroa, BNZ, Horticulture New Zealand and Zespri
Silver: Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Fruitfed Supplies
Bronze: BDO, FMG, Massey University, New Zealand Bioeconomy Science Institute, New Zealand Fruitgrowers Charitable Trust, Ecolab and NZ Māori Tourism
Other: Kono Wines
A big thanks also to sponsors of the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower Award
Kaitautoko Tuatahi: Te Tumu Paeroa
Kaitautoko Taketake: Te Puni Kōkiri, Women in Horticulture: United Fresh New Zealand and Horticulture New Zealand
Nga Kaitautoko: New Zealand Apples & Pears
Notes to Editor/Media:
Material:
- For further information contact Peter Burke on 021 224 2184 or peterj@true-to-ireland.com
- For ‘free for editorial use’ photos of competition go to the Alphapix website and contact John Cowpland from Alphapix for download access on info@alphapix.co.nz.
- For more details about the competition: visit history and past winners of the trophy on this website.
