Young wahine 'Grace's' title

The competition is held in conjunction with the main Ahuwhenua event and the winner was announced before the same audience of more than 900 people.

The other finalists in the competition were 30-year-old Alix Te Kere, who is the health and safety advisor for Rockit Management Services, and Erica Henare, who's the pipfruit and kiwifruit manager at Kono, near Motueka.

This is the first time in the history of the competition that three wāhine Māori have 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.

Te Hāmua Nikora, the Pou Tikanga, Te Tumu Paeroa, who announced the winner, explained that Dr Charlotte Severne, the Māori Trustee and chief executive of Te Tumu Paeroa, who was unable to be present at the function, has a very special place in her heart for other wāhine.

"The way we see it at Te Tumu Paeroa is that if we help this younger generation, particularly the women in this business, then they are going to do better for the land. When the land is healthy, the people are healthy," he says.

Rehu says being part of the competition was an amazing experience and opportunity. She said she could never have done it without the support of the two other finalists by her side. Rehu admits she was pushed into entering the competition without really knowing what was involved.

Aaron Hunt, one of the judges, says the industry is in good hands with these three wāhine toa. As part of the judging process, the finalists attended an intensive three-day study tour designed to provide a range of insights, inspiration, and experiences across the horticultural sector. This includes a trip to Zespri, a visit to Matakana Island to see Whai Orchard, a kiwifruit operation, Opure ra Trust an avocado orchard, and a berry orchard which is a joint venture with five Māori Trusts.

"All three finalists are amazing. The growth in them over the course of the judging programme was phenomenal," Hunt says.

"They were all taken out of their comfort zone over the course of the study tour, but all of them took in absolutely everything."

He added that Rehu demonstrated the three values of the judging criteria: Manaakitanga - looking after others, Whānaungatanga - engagement, and Mana Motuhake - being authentic. She was well supported by the two finalists, her partner, her whānau and her employer throughout her Ahuwhenua journey.

"Although Grace is only 21, clearly age is not a barrier to her maturity."