L-R: Ngāti Hine Forestry Trustee Mike Butler and Te Puni Kōkiri's Hākopa Ashdown.
Large crowds attend final Ahuwhenua Trophy Field Day
Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust, which operates six kiwifruit orchards near Kerikeri in Northland, opened its doors for the final field day for this year's Ahuwhenua Trophy – Excellence in Māori Horticulture competition.
The Trust's kiwifruit operation comprises 49 hectares, with 32 hectares planted in covered G3 SunGold, operated under a lease agreement with Seeka.
“We’re incredibly proud to have hosted the Ahuwhenua Trophy field day and to have welcomed so many manuhiri onto our orchard,” Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust Chairman Pita Tipene says.
“We hope visitors take away a deeper understanding of how we operate - balancing commercial outcomes with our responsibilities as kaitiaki.”
Guests were welcomed at the Turner Centre in Kerikeri, where they heard presentations from representatives including Chairperson Pita Tipene and CEO Heidi Mackey. They discussed the Trust's decision to move into high-value horticulture, proving that kiwifruit can be grown successfully outside traditional growing regions.
“I’m really proud of our team. This is more than just a job. It’s about the vision that we are all working towards, ‘he whenua hua, he tangata ora’, which means ‘productive lands, people, and wellbeing’, Ngāti Hine Trust CEO Heidi Mackey says.
Guests were then taken to visit one of the orchards for a closer look at operations.
Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee Chair Nukuhia Hadfield says the field day was another example of how Māori growers continue to demonstrate innovation and add value to the growing sector.
"What stands out about Ngāti Hine is their clear strategic vision that honours kaitiakitanga while delivering consistent productivity gains.
“Their commitment to growing employment opportunities for their people combined with strong partnerships demonstrates their vision and approach to horticulture. They're commercially successful while staying true to their values and responsibilities to whānau and whenua," she says.
The other 2026 Ahuwhenua Trophy competition finalists are Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective, Te Puke, and Otama Marere Trust, Paengaroa.
The overall winner will be announced Friday 5 June at the awards dinner 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:
Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust holds diverse interests across forestry, kiwifruit, mānuka honey, dairy, carbon crops, and native nurseries, reflecting a commitment to sustainable land use and economic development for their people.
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.
