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Outgoing Ahuwhenua Awards chair Kingi Smiler says he's proud of what Māori farmers are accomplishing.
Mr Smiler is retiring after 15 years driving the prestigious Māori agriculture awards.
He says the competition brings Māori success to the fore and showcases it to the wider industry.
"What we get the most pleasure out of is the pride of all the whānau that turn up and are part of the field days and the awards evening, the pride they take in the achievements of their whānau to make the finals, and also for the winning teams, the huge pride the whānau take, and that sets the benchmark for the whole competition," he says.
Mr Smiler says he intends to focus on chairing Māori-owned dairy-processer Miraka and the Kāhui Wai Māori freshwater forum.
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