Thursday, 22 June 2023 11:55

Ahuwhenua book launched

Written by Peter Burke

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Former Ahuwhenua committee chair Kingi Smiler says the Ahuwhenua Trophy was born out of necessity in 1933.

Another feature of the Ahuwhenua awards dinner was the launching of a book about the history of the trophy tracing its 90-year history.

This book is a revised version of the book on the trophy published 10 years ago and updates how the competition has evolved since then. In the forward, former chair of the committee which organises the competition, Kingi Smiler, says the Ahuwhenua Trophy was born out of necessity in 1933.

Smiler says Māori had had their best land confiscated by trickery, treachery and other dubious means and says in many instances were left with land that even today is very challenging. He says some Māori farms in hill country areas are disproportionately disadvantaged.

Kingi Smiler says Lord Bledisloe and Sir Apirana Ngata - who both inaugurated the competition - saw the need to encourage Māori to develop their lands for the betterment of their people. He says over 90 years, the country has endured many challenges.

However, despite all the adversity over the years, the competition has continued to grow and remained relevant to the time and is now regarded as one of the most prestigious events on the agricultural calendar.

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