On Friday night the Proprietors of Rakaia Incorporation made history by becoming the first South Island dairy farm to win the 2016 Ahuwhenua Trophy, recognising Māori excellence in farming.
The announcement was made by the Minister for Māori Development, Hon Te Ururoa Flavell at a special function in Hamilton attended by 850 people including the Minister for Primary Industries, Hon Nathan Guy and industry leaders from all over the motu.
Rakaia Chairman James Russell gave high praise for the Ahuwhenua Awards and benefit it provides for the industry.
“Growth in Māori agribusiness, especially dairy, helps boost New Zealand’s economy and provides opportunities for Māori land owners. The Ahuwhenua Trophy Competition provides the perfect opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the significant role Māori dairy farmer’s play in the New Zealand economy” said James.
“For Rakaia, our shareholders, our sharemilkers and staff, it is a pre-eminent accolade”.
Rakaia Incorporation was chosen from two other finalists, fellow Cantabrians Ngāi Tahu Farming Limited, and Tewi Trust based in the South Waikato near the township of Tirau.
Kingi Smiler, Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee Chairman, says the achievements of all 2016 finalists mirror Sir Apirana Ngata and Lord Bledisloe dreams for the competition when they initiated it way back in 1932.
The winner, Rakaia Incorporation, received $40,000 worth of prizes, and and all up finalists received prizes to the value of $60,000.
Earlier in the night Te Tumu Paeroa’s Deputy Māori Trustee Tiaki Hunia announced the winner of the Ahuwhenua Young Māori dairy farmer of the year.
Tiaki praised the high calibre work of all three finalists, Ash-Leigh Campbell from Lincoln, Harepaora Ngaheu from Te Teko and eventual winner Jack Rahuruhi from the West Coast for their achievements in the dairy industry.
“Your achievements speak for themselves. You’re all inspiring to everyone here but perhaps more importantly to your whānau, to your hapu, to your iwi and to the young children who will become the future of this industry” said Tiaki.
Upon being announced as the Ahuwhenua Young Māori dairy farmer of the year, Jack Rahuruhi spoke of his journey to this point, and what the future held for him in the industry.
“I’d chosen the wrong path in life. I’d surrounded myself with the wrong people. I left school at 15 and started dairy farming which led to my passion for the industry. … I’ve thrived off helping and tutoring my peers and seeing them succeed. I’d like to take this to the next level on a much larger scale” said Jack.
Te Tumu Paeroa are Gold Sponsors of the Ahuwhenua Trophy BNZ Māori Excellence in Farming Awards. For more information about the Ahuwhenua Awards visit their website at: www.ahuwhenuatrophy.maori.nz