The winner of a Māori farming competition says he enjoys farming so much it doesn’t seem like work.
Jordan Smith was named the 2013 Ahuwhenua Young Māori Sheep & Beef Farmer of the Year at the prestigious national Ahuwhenua Awards in June. The 23 year old works at Nikau Block Farm, Te Kuiti, where he says no two days are the same.
“I left school at 15 years, and had no idea that farming would be this rewarding. It’s not work if you enjoy what you are doing,” Jordan says.
The Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer of the Year is a national competition that supports young Māori farmers to become future agriculture leaders. Each year the competition alternates between Sheep & Beef, and Dairy.
Fred Hardy, who sits on the judging panel, said it was an extremely tight competition this year with Te Moana Sidney, a junior shepherd at Mount Herbert Station, Waipukurau named as runner-up.
“Our two young finalists, Jordan and Te Moana, are top performers and impressive young men,” Fred says. “Jordan and Te Moana have both taken on responsibilities on-farm and have strong direction and ambition in their careers. They understand the world they are in and are great young advocates for the industry.”
The competition, which is now open for 2014 nominations, involves a serious of phone and in-person interviews where farming responsibilities, knowledge and future goals are explored.
Jordan says he highly recommends the experience. “The process pushed me to reach my goals sooner, and it helped my confidence with people, which is a big thing – especially for us farmers.”
Jordan says his family were ‘stoked’ with his win, “especially Granddad who spent most of the day showing people the letter of confirmation,” he says.
The award is possible thanks to sponsorship from the Māori Soldiers Trust, Te Tumu Paeroa – the new Māori Trustee, AgITO, Te Puni Kōkiri, and Allflex.
The Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer of the Year award is part of the Ahuwhenua Trophy BNZ Māori Excellence in Farming Award. In 2014, the award is open to young Māori aged 16-25 years, who are employed on a dairy farm and are currently enrolled in or have completed within the last year, a National Certificate in Agriculture Level 3 or higher.
For more information, or to make a nomination, please contact peter.macgregor@primaryito.ac.nz
