Local Māori can celebrate success in Māori horticulture by entering the Ahuwhenua Trophy Horticulture competition and the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower Award.

HortNZ president Barry O’Neil said it is a privilege for the horticulture industry to be associated with the Ahuwhenua Trophy.

“[This is a way to] showcase the tremendous mahi that Māori are doing to further our industry, as well as their own iwi and whānau,” Barry said.

The Ahuwhenua Trophy for Excellence in Māori Horticulture recognises and celebrates Māori who work with the sun, soil and water to grow food.

The first round of judging takes place in January and February to select finalists. Judging for the overall winner will occur in late March and early April. 

The Ahuwhenua Trophy is the most prestigious award for Māori agriculture, originally launched in 1933 by Māori leader Sir Apirana Ngata and the Governor General at the time, Lord Bledisloe.

The last trophy winner in Horticulture was Te Kaha 15B Hineora orchard in Hastings, a kiwifruit operation. 

The Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower Award began ten years ago for young Māori working in the agricultural sector. Like the trophy it runs in a three year cycle of categories; sheep and beef, dairy and horticulture. 

This is only the second time the horticulture sector has been included. The first winner of young Māori grower was Maatutaera Akonga of Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungungu descent, a senior leading hand at Llewellyn Horticulture based in Hastings.

Chair of the Ahuwhenua Trophy management committee Nukuhia Hadfield said the competition is a flagship award to showcase the great strides young Māori are making in the horticulture industry. She said the award also highlights the huge variety of roles available to young people.

“I urge all young Māori working in the horticulture industry to enter the competition and that their employers encourage and support members of their staff to put their names forward. 

“This prestigious competition not only highlights bright young people, it also reflects well on their employers.”

The glammed up crowd as Wi Pere Trust, Gisborne, won the Ahuwhenua Trophy - Excellence in Māori Farming Award 2022 at the awards ceremony in Napier

Entries for the Ahuwhenua Trophy close 5pm, Friday December 9 - click here to enter.

For the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower candidates have a longer timeframe, entries close 5pm, Friday February 10 - click here to enter.