Maori agriculture's big night

This is the second time in a row that Wi Pere has won this prestigious trophy; last year they won it for their sheep and beef operation. The announcement was made by the Minister for Māori Development, Willie Jackson, at the Ahuwhenua awards dinner in Tauranga, attended by over 900 people. As the announcement was made, Wi Pere whānau came on stage to join in the celebrations, where Trudy Meredith - trustee and granddaughter or Wi Pere, the founder of the trust - received the coveted Ahuwhenua Trophy. Jackson told the gathering that these awards are always a very special occasion, which sees whānau come together and have a great evening. He says the achievements of Māori have long been underrated.

"While there are many other problems in the country, it seems quite ironic that the Māori economy is going through the roof and is worth up to $80 billion."

Meredith says winning the Ahuwhenua Trophy was absolutely wonderful. She says her legs were shaking when she went on stage to receive the trophy and her ancestor, Wi Pere, would have been amazed at the Trust winning the Ahuwhenua Trophy for the second year in a row.

Meredith says it had been a very strong competition and they and their competitors Ngāi Tukairangi and MIL Whiritoa Orchards learned so much from each other since being named finalists earlier in the year.

"I thought we had gaps in our business where Ngāi Tukairangi and MIL, Whiritoa Orchards had many strengths - so everybody's taken lessons back from each other."

Meredith was delighted to learn about the level of support they had in the district. She says their win is important and means a lot for the people of Tairawhiti because of what it has gone through.

Nukuhia Hadfield, chair of the Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee, says it has been a difficult year from most growers and farmers in the primary sector, but especially hard for all the finalists in the competition. She says a combination and accumulation of events such as frosts, floods and other unseasonal conditions created major problems for all the entrants.

Hadfield says despite this adversity, all the finalists remained in the competition and put together exceptionally good field days to showcase their respective orchards.

"I would not like to have been a judge in these circumstances, but I'm certainly full praise to Wi Pere Trust for being judged the winner," she added. "I have seen their property and they are very worthy winners. But having said that, all the finalists have once again demonstrated the strength and excellence of Māori horticulture." 

The Ahuwhenua Trophy is the most prestigious award for excellence in Māori farming and horticulture. It was inaugurated 90 years ago by Sir Apirana Ngata and the Governor General at the time, Lord Bledisloe.

The objective was - and still is - to encourage Māori farmers to improve their land and their overall farming position, Māori compete in the sheep and beef, horticulture, and dairy sectors.