Te Puni Kōkiri Chief Executive Michelle Hippolite has congratulated the three finalists in this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy Dairy Awards describing them as exemplars of the dedication and innovation crucial to the Māori economy.

Announced by the Minister of Māori Affairs, Hon Dr Pita Sharples, at Parliament this evening the finalists were:

• Putauaki Trust – Himiona Dairy Farm (Rangitaiki Plains);
• Ngāti Awa Farms – Ngakauroa Dairy Farm (Rangitaiki Plains); and
• Te Rua o Te Moko Ltd (Taranaki).

She said the finalists represented the proud Ahuwhenua legacy established more than 80 years ago by Sir Apirana Ngata and Lord Bledisloe who saw the value of competitiveness as a means of increasing excellence in Māori farming.

“They model the dedication and innovation that have become the hallmarks of Māori farming operations. Environmental management, land amalgamation, increased productivity and job training are amongst the strategies they have employed to become the sustainable enterprises that they are today.”

As a sponsor of the Award, Mrs Hippolite said the competition had a strong synergy with her organisation’s focus on supporting and fostering the interests and aspirations of Māori collectives and strengthening Māori economic wealth.

“Without doubt the Awards competition is a significant catalyst for highlighting the contribution that Māori agribusiness makes to the New Zealand economy.”

She described the recent creation of the competition for the Young Farmer of the Year, run in conjunction with the Ahuwhenua Trophy Competition, “as a further step toward developing future leaders to follow in the footsteps of the 2014 finalists we celebrate.”

The three finalists will host field days in early March before the final winner is announced at an Awards evening to be held in Tauranga on 13 June 2014. http://www.ahuwhenuatrophy.maori.nz/

ENDS

For further information contact: Paula Collins Communications Manager 021 518518