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More than 800 people are expected at a gala event at Claudelands Stadium in Hamilton tonight to celebrate the best in Maori farming.
The Ahuwhenua Trophy has become a major event on the Maori calendar, and this year it’s dairying’s chance to shine.
The three finalists are the Tewi Trust from Okoroire in south Waikato. Ngai Tahu Farming’s dairy units near Oxford in Canterbury, and the Proprietors of Rakaia Incorporation near Ashburton.
Ahuwhenua chair Kingi Smiler says other land trusts and individual farmers are keen to find out how the finalists keep their costs of production among the lowest in the industry.
"They’ve been really showing the way and doing this consistently for a number of years. Many can do it from time to time but the real challenge is being able to do this consistently. Currently prices are very low but Tewi Trust and the other (finalists)are still profitable even though it's a low milk price," he says.
Guests include Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy, who together are the kaitiaki of the Ahuwhenua trophy.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
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