L-R: Bernadine Guilleux, Chair, Horticulture New Zealand and Dr Charlotte Severne, Māori Trustee, Te Tumu Paeroa. Photos supplied by Horticulture New Zealand.
Entries open for the 2026 Ahuwhenua Trophy Horticulture Competition and the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower Award
Entries are open for the prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy, Excellence in Māori Horticulture Award and the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower Award. The announcement was made by Dr Charlotte Severne (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāi Tūhoe) the Māori Trustee, Te Tumu Paeroa at the Horticulture New Zealand conference held in Wellington this week.
The competition is the most prestigious agricultural competition in Aotearoa. It was inaugurated in 1933 by the then Governor General Lord Bledisloe and one of te ao Māori’s greatest leaders Sir Apirana Ngata. The objective then and still is, to foster the growth and development of Māori in farming and horticulture.
The Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower Award was inaugurated in 2012 and is designed to recognise up and coming young Māori in the pastoral and horticulture sectors. Since its inception the competition has attracted high quality entrants.
Dr Severne says launching the two competitions at the Horticulture NZ conference was very special as it demonstrates the strength of the sector and that both Ahuwhenua and Horticulture NZ are committed to celebrating success and growing the capability of our people. She says Māori have embraced the sector and now contribute at least 10% of all the kiwifruit exported from Aotearoa. In addition, a group of Māori growers have developed some niche kiwifruit markets of their own in places such as Hawaii.
Nukuhia Hadfield, Chair of the Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee says the two competitions provide an excellent opportunity for established horticulture growers and up and coming young people to showcase their success and talents.
“The judging process of the senior Ahuwhenua Trophy competition gives entrants excellent insights into their businesses operations and as someone who has been through this process, I can assure you it has helped us to make positive adjustments on our farm. It has also provided invaluable networking opportunities,” she says.
Nukuhia Hadfield says the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower Award has been an exciting addition to the competition. She says in just over a decade it has been responsible for the emergence of an incredible alumni of young Māori leaders. She urges all those involved in horticulture to promote and encourage people to enter saying they also stand to gain in having an innovative and successful Māori agribusiness sector.
The winner of both competitions will be announced at the awards dinner in Whangārei on 5 June 2026.
Media please note:
For further information contact Rawinia Parata on 021 351 075 or [rawinia.parata@gmail.com]rawinia.parata@gmail.com. For ‘free for editorial use’ photos of competition go to https://bit.ly/3PWEdX7 and contact John Cowpland from Alphapix for download access on info@alphapix.co.nz.
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, and Plant & Food Research
Bronze: BDO, FMG, Massey University, New Zealand Fruitgrowers Charitable Trust and New Zealand Māori Tourism
Other: Kono Wines
A big thanks also to sponsors of the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower Award e Tumu Paeroa, Te Puni Kōkiri, Women in Horticulture & United Fresh New Zealand and Horticulture New Zealand.
