Friday, 20 March 2020 09:29

Ahuwhenua Trophy events cancelled 

Written by  Staff Reporters
Hort NZ chair Barry O’Neill; Māori Development Minister Nania Mahuta and Ahuwhenua Trophy committee chair Kingi Smiler at the unveiling of the new hort trophy at last year’s Hort NZ conference. Hort NZ chair Barry O’Neill; Māori Development Minister Nania Mahuta and Ahuwhenua Trophy committee chair Kingi Smiler at the unveiling of the new hort trophy at last year’s Hort NZ conference.

The Ahuwhenua Trophy field days and awards dinner planned for Māori farmers and horticulturalists has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Each of the finalist’s field days would normally attract between 200 and 300 people and the awards dinner would host between 700 and 900 guests.

Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee chairman Kingi Smiler says the health and safety of finalists, sponsors, whanau and others is paramount.

“Following the advice of our health authorities about large gatherings must take precedence.”

The competition is now in its 87th year with horticulture being showcased for the first time in 2020.

Smiler says “we are pleased that we can complete the judging, because of the very small number of people involved and announce a winner for this inaugural Horticulture competition.”  

“The winner will be announced by the Minister for Māori Development, the Nanaia Mahuta and Minister of Agriculture the Damien O’Connor and a special event for the presentation of the Trophy will be arranged once Covid-19 related restrictions are eased.” 

Smiler says the three finalists – Te Kaha 15B Hineora Orchard in Te Kaha, Otama Marere in Te Puke and Ngāi Tukairangi Trust in Tauranga are in the kiwifruit industry's top performing quartile have developed sustainable businesses for their whanau and communities. 

“What we see in our 2020 finalists is a unique combination of vision, resilience, innovation, good governance and smart management.”  

More like this

M.I.A.

OPINION: The previous government spent too much during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite warnings from officials, according to a briefing released by the Treasury.

Gaslight much?

OPINION: Labour leader Chris 'Chippy' Hipkins is carrying on the world-class gaslighting of the nation that he and his cohorts started after their disastrous Covid response; now trying to undermine the Covid inquiry to protect his own backside.

Sorry, not sorry

OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?

Top Māori sheep and beef farms showcase excellence in Ahuwhenua Trophy field days

Recently two of New Zealand's top Maori sheep and beef farms held field days as part of the prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy competition. The two are: Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust, northeast of Whangarei, and the proprietors of Tawapata Onenui farm on Mahia Peninsula in southern Hawke's Bay. Reporter Peter Burke attended both field days.

Featured

US tariffs hit European ag machinery markets

The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.

Tributes paid to Jim Bolger

Dignitaries from  all walks of life – the governor general,  politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and  friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.

Meet the Need: Helping Kiwis put food on the table

Meet the Need, a farmer-led charity, says food insecurity in New Zealand is dire, with one in four children now living in a household experiencing food insecurity, according to Ministry of Health data.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Red faced

OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…

Cold comfort

One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter