Maori excellence in farming award

AgResearch major sponsor of Maori farming award

AgResearch has been a gold sponsor of the New Zealand Maori Excellence in Farming Award since 2003, except for 2006 when we were a platinum sponsor.

AgResearch's involvement in the awards reflects our commitment to helping Maori farmers double their value of productivity by 2020. In 2007, the winner was Pah Hill Station, Atihau-Whanganui Incorporation sheep and beef farm.

As well as the mana (prestige) associated with winning the competition's Ahuwhenua Trophy, the winner receives about $40,000 in cash and farm-related prizes.

The award aims to highlight and build on the significant contribution Maori agribusiness makes to the national economy. It alternates between dairy, and sheep and beef farming, with the latter being this year's focus.

The competition selects a winner based on such criteria as good governance and innovation, good financial performance, environmental management, and the contribution the winner makes to its community.

AgResearch Board Chairman Rick Christie says Maori are long-term players in the farming sector.

"With intergenerational handling of land and with their affinity with the land, we see a long and prosperous future for Maori farmers in Aotearoa-New Zealand.

"Everything AgResearch is doing has relevance to all farms in New Zealand and is not exclusively for the Maori pastoral sector, but AgResearch is giving particular focus to the Maori sector because of the obvious significant gains to be made in terms of productivity which relate to the well-being of the Tangata Whenua and our country as a whole."

To register for the competition:

Email: peter.charleton@staplestaranaki.co.nz