fbpx
Print this page
Tuesday, 25 May 2021 15:55

Kingi Smiler bows out

Written by  Peter Burke
Kingi Smiler. Kingi Smiler.

The man who has led the Ahuwhenua competition for the past fifteen years is bowing out.

Kingi Smiler has been the chairman of the Ahuwhenua Trust Management committee since the awards were revived. He is also chairman of Miraka, the Māori-owned dairy company based in Taupo, and is chairman of Wairarapa Moana which owns several dairy farms in the Central North Island.

He is handing over the reins to Nukuhia Hadfield who along with Bart won the Ahuwhenua Trophy in 2015.

Smiler says it's time for him to retire and says he's enjoyed every moment in the job. He says every year is special because you see the pride and the passion of the whanau supporting the achievements of the finalists and winners. He says that provides the motivation and inspiration for the next generation to come.

"The competition has grown from strength to strength and it's moving in the right direction as it continues to grow. Māori have certainly built the skill and capability and the leadership has come to the fore. They are also connecting their farming enterprise with schools and the community," he says.

Smiler says it's been a privilege to support the legacy of Sir Apirana Ngata and Lord Bledisloe who inaugurated the competition 88 years ago.

More like this

NZ's top Māori dairy farms to go on show

The finalists in this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy competition to select the top Māori dairy farm in the country are now busy planning and organising field days at their respective properties.

Māori farmer award entries open

Entries are open for the 2024 Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award, for up-and-coming young Māori working on dairy farms around the country.

Ahuwhenua dairy comp underway

Entries to select the top Māori dairy farm for the prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy competition are being invited from all Māori dairy farmers, trusts and other entities around the country.

Featured

Sheep drench resistance costly

Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

National

Govt urged to reduce ETS units

The Climate Change Commission wants the new Government to reduce NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction volumes as son as…

Dairy sheep, goat woes mount

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand…

Machinery & Products

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…

Can-Am showcases range

Based on industry data collected by the Motor Industry Association, Can-Am is the number one side-by-side manufacturer in New Zealand.