The 2026 finalists for the Ahuwhenua Trophy, Excellence in Māori Horticulture award were announced by the Māori Development Minister at a special event at Parliament today.
The three finalists are:
- Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective – Te Puke
- Otama Marere Trust – Paengaroa
- Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust – Kerikeri
“The finalists represent a cohort of Māori growers who are playing an important role in horticulture which is now the fastest growing of all the primary export industries,” Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee Chair Nukuhia Hadfield says.
“In recent years and months many growers throughout the country have endured some very difficult times due to devastating weather events, but they continue to navigate and respond to these challenges.
“Export returns for horticulture to the end of June this year were set to top more than $9 billion and expected rise even further in 2027.
“By producing high quality bumper crops Māori growers contribute greatly to the success of the sector and the Aotearoa economy,” she says.
All finalists receive a medal to recognise their selection and will now host a public field day during March or April at their respective premises to demonstrate growing operations.
The field day dates are:
- Thursday 26 March – Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective, Te Puke
- Thursday 2 April – Otama Marere Trust, Paengaroa
- Thursday 23 April – Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust, Kerikeri
The field days and a second round of judging will determine the overall winner, who will be announced at the awards dinner on Friday 5 June in Whangārei.
“One the strengths of Māori in the primary sector is their commitment to intergenerational succession planning,” Hadfield says.
“This is supported by the Ahuwhenua Trust which runs an annual award for young Māori growers and farmers alongside the senior competition to support and grow our future leaders,.”
The Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower award finalists will be announced in March, with the overall junior winner also to be announced at the Ahuwhenua Trophy awards dinner.
2026 Ahuwhenua Trophy Finalists announcement at Parliament
L-R: Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay, Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust Chair Pita Tipene, Otama Marere Trustee Diane Berghan, Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee Chair Nukuhia Hadfield, Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective CEO Charles Russell, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka.