September 30, 2020
Quest for excellence helping Maori farmers through tough time
Entries have opened for the Ahuwhenua Trophy for Māori excellence in dairy farming – while the first Ahuwhenua horticulture competition is still going on.
Organising committee chair Kingi Smiler says judging of the three horticulture blocks in Te Kaha, Tauranga and Te Puke was delayed because of the COVID-19 restrictions and will be done next week, with an awards dinner in Rotorua in November.
He says COVID has revealed the resilience of Māori farming.
"They’re essential businesses and it's been good that all the land-based activities have done an amazing job to keep their operations ticking over and they have been able to cope with the disruption in the market place and following all the health and safety regulations at the same time. They've been doing an amazing job," Mr Smiler says.
Copyright © 2020, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com