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Three of Māoridom’s premier farming operations are in contention for this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy for Māori Farming Excellence.
The focus this year is on sheep and beef farming.
Onuku Māori Lands Trust, located at Rerewhakaaitu near Rotorua, has in recent years diversified from being one big drystock farming operation to also including four dairy farms, forestry, natural reserves and a manuka plantation which contributes to its export honey business.
Wi Pere Trust near Gisborne is putting up its hill country farming operation, which generates more than a million kilograms of meat and fibre a year from 32,000 sheep and 4600 cattle.
Hereheretau Station is a 2,000ha sheep and beef farm near Wairoa, and the major asset of the Māori Soldiers Trust, which funds the Sir Āpirana Ngata Memorial Scholarship programme.
Field days will be held at the farms during August and September, and the winner will be announced at the awards dinner on October 21 at the Pettigrew Green Arena in Taradale, Hawke’s Bay.
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