Coby Warmington wins 2025 Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award
Coby Warmington, 29, a farm manager at Waima Topu Beef near Hokianga was named at the winner of the 2025 Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer Award for sheep and beef.
Grace Rehu, 21 – a leading hand for Turners and Growers in Puketapu, Hawke’s Bay – is the winner of the 2023 Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower competition.
The competition is held in conjunction with the main Ahuwhenua event and the winner was announced before an audience of more than 900 people in early June. Each year the competition alternates between dairy, sheep and beef, and horticulture.
The other two finalists in this year’s competition were 30 year old Alix Te Kere, who is the health and safety advisor for Rockit Management Services, and Erica Henare, the pipfruit and kiwifruit manager at Kono, near Motueka.
It was first time in the history of the competition that three wāhine Māori had been selected as finalists. To mark this special occasion, each of the finalists received $5,000 each from Te Tumu Paeroa in addition to their other prizes.
Rehu was selected as a finalist in February, competing against the two other strong wāhine through a number of field days and events.
“I’m honoured to be given this recognition, and incredibly grateful to be part of this incredible competition,” she says. “When they called my name I was stunned. Winning this award is very much a shared win with my other finalists – especially as it was the first time for all finalists to be wāhine toa!”
Rehu says participating in Ahuwhenua was an absolute honour.
“It has challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and learn new things and create friendships and strong bonds which I know I’ll have throughout my life,” she adds.
“Since I was young, I’ve loved being outside and on the whenua. I love what I do at T&G and the opportunities it provides. I want to help other young wāhine and tane to pursue their dreams and explore a career in horticulture.”
T&G director of operations, Craig Betty says the awards are a great way to showcase up and coming young Māori in NZ’s horticulture sector.
“We’re incredibly proud of Grace and this achievement,” he says.
“Over the last four years, we’ve seen her develop and grow into an incredible young leader. Her passion for the land and its fresh produce, and our people and industry is evident.”
Betty says Rehu is a fantastic role model within T&G’s business and in the community.
“Grace has an incredible future ahead of her.”
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
OPINION: ACT MP Mark Cameron isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he certainly calls it how he sees it, holding…
OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?