Tongan Student Wins Final William Gearish Award
Vetekina Pau'u is the first Tongan to win the William Gearish Memorial prize and sadly she will also be the last recipient.
Organisers say this gives farmers and growers across the region an opportunity to have their work recognised and celebrated alongside some of New Zealand's leading farming and growing operations.
The awards, run by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (NZFET), recognise farmers and growers who are making thoughtful decisions about their land, environment, people and businesses, while demonstrating the innovation and commitment that goes into running a successful primary production operation.
West Coast Regional Council chair Colin Smith said the region's farming stories deserved a place in the national spotlight.
"The West Coast has a long proud history of farming well while caring for our natural landscapes, and it's time our farmers and growers had their place in the national showcase alongside every other region.
"The council is proud to partner with the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust to bring the Ballance Farm Environment Awards to the Coast, and we're committed to supporting the awards in the years ahead so this becomes a lasting part of how we celebrate farming here."
NZFET general manager Sarah Harris says the awards would provide an opportunity to shine a light on the people and practices that make West Coast farming so distinctive.
"The West Coast has a wealth of farming knowledge, experience and ingenuity, and we're looking forward to hearing the stories behind the people who are working the land there."
