A Hawke’s Bay orchard supervisor who began picking fruit alongside her whānau as a teenager has been crowned the winner of the 2026 Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower Award.
Te Rina Joe (Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Kahungunu), Supervisor and Orchard Hand at Pakuratahi Orchard for Ngāti Pāhauwera Commercial Development Ltd in Tangoio, was recognised for her leadership, dedication and contribution to New Zealand’s horticulture sector.
Joe started working in orchards at just 15 years old and has gone on to build a career serving her iwi on their whenua. She now oversees teams of between 40 and 60 workers across a 55-hectare apple operation in Hawke’s Bay.
The award was announced at the Ahuwhenua Awards dinner in Whangārei, attended by more than 700 people from the primary industries, government and Māori communities.
Each finalist received a $5,000 scholarship, with Joe receiving an additional $5,000 as the overall winner.
Lead Judge Sam Vivian-Greer said the competition plays an important role in developing the next generation of leaders in Māori horticulture and highlighted the growing number of talented young Māori emerging from the primary sector.
Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee Chair Nukuhia Hadfield said Joe’s journey reflected the strong connection between people, whenua and iwi that sits at the heart of the award.
Hadfield said the competition continues to showcase young Māori who are grounded in their identity, committed to their industries and helping shape the future of Māori horticulture.
The other finalists in the 2026 competition were Larissa Wooding-Ngata (Ngāti Porou) of Craigmore Sustainables in Gisborne, and Robert John Manuel (Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Rehia, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Raakaipaaka) of Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust in Kerikeri.
The awards evening also saw Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective take out the 2026 Ahuwhenua Trophy, New Zealand’s premier award recognising excellence in Māori horticulture.
