Dairy - Judging Process

First Round Judging

• The judging panel assess the entry forms.
• Entrants will be contacted by phone to arrange an interview at your work with the judging panel.

The judging process is interactive, and entrants need to be prepared to answer wide ranging questions and be willing to comment on your industry knowledge, future training and development plans, management practices, etc.

Judging Criteria

Before your interview, you will need to review your entry form and supporting documentation and have given prior thought to the range of questions judges may ask in the assessment area. Aspects to be discussed are outlined in the Entry Form, and include the following areas:

• Your knowledge of the farming industry
• Contribution to and participation with your community/ngā tikanga Māori and how you show your commitment to Māoritanga
• Goals and plans for the future
• Learning and development
• Awareness of Health and Safety practices
• Understanding of management practices and goals
• Knowledge or environmental factors that impact the business
• The outstanding attributes and skills that have contributed to your success
• The tasks or responsibilities you have taken up within the business, which are over and above your normal duties.

We suggest you allow ample time for the judges to ask questions, preferably at a table where they can take notes. In each situation the judges will also wish to meet with your Employer or Trainer as part of this process. Preferably they will be able to be present throughout the interview process.

Remember, it’s up to you to impress on the judges your abilities, knowledge and leadership.

After First Round Judging

• Up to 3 successful entrants will be advised by a Judge that they have been selected as a finalist and will be provided with a judges’ report shortly following the conclusion of first round judging.
• Unsuccessful entrants will be advised via email, and will be provided with a judges’ report shortly following the conclusion of judging.
• You will be asked to participate in a questionnaire that seeks to gain your valuable feedback for the competition. The judges must be satisfied that the entrant/finalist meets the established judging criteria and reserve the right to not present an award if, in their opinion, no satisfactory nominations are received.
  

Finalist Judging

The judging of finalists to select the winner takes place during the Study Tour prior to the Awards Dinner Friday 28 May 2027 (TBC). The Study Tour dates are Tuesday 25 – Friday 28 May 2027 (TBC) and consist of:

• Networking with the other finalists, sponsors, judges, the Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee and team
• Offsite visits (which may include visits within the industry)
• Budgeting session
• Goal setting session
• Media session

Further details, including the full Study Tour itinerary will be provided in advance of finalist judging. Study Tour costs are covered by the Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee for the finalist and one support person, including travel, accommodation, and meals (some restrictions apply).

CONSIDERATIONS

All finalists are to be judged using a Māori values framework aligned to the qualities of excellence an Ahuwhenua finalist is representing. Using the values of Manaakitanga, Whanaungatanga and Mana Motuhake to guide the judges that would help complement them with what they already know from the first round interview phase. The overall winner will be chosen based on both their first-round judging and the final round of judging.

Judges assess the finalists throughout the Study Tour for the degree to which they exhibit:

• Manaakitanga

The finalists ability to respect others, be prepared, adapt, and contribute to the task at hand. This will be judged during field days, goal setting sessions and in their general conduct through all judging and the study tour.

• Whanaungatanga

Judged by the quality of engagement by the finalists with their peers and the wider Ahuwhenua whānau. This will be judged during field day and study tour participation, alumni engagement and engagement with ‘Officials’ i.e., sponsors, project team, judges etc.

• Mana Motuhake

Judged by the degree the finalists are able to learn, grow, reflect, and share who they are naturally in honour of the Ahuwhenua kaupapa. This will be judged based on the finalists: participation, speech readiness and confidence when engaging with everybody, i.e., sponsors, hosts, peers, project team, judges etc. during the remainder of the competition including media releases, filming, field day attendance, and study tour etc.

JUDGING DISCRETION

Judges will make their decisions based on a number of factors from the first and final round of judging. Accordingly, entrants need to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the judging criteria and leadership skills through the judging process.

INDEPENDENCE OF JUDGES

Before the judges are appointed, they are required to declare any potential conflict of interest. The judging panel will be made up of sponsors representatives and a Pou Māori judge. The decision of the judges is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.