Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective has been named the winner of the 2026 Ahuwhenua Trophy - New Zealand's most prestigious award for excellence in Māori horticulture.
As Zespri's largest Māori shareholder, the collective has grown its combined asset value beyond $130 million since 2018, embodying kotahitanga as a commercial force.
“We’re absolutely elated, really proud of our team and it’s an honour and a privilege to stand alongside Otama Marere and Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust on this occasion,” Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective CEO Charles Russell says.
"Our whakatauki is ‘one orchard at a time’…that’s where we exercise our mana motuhake and our rangatiratanga.
“We’ve grown this land for generations and if we go back to our roots I’m sure that’s where the prosperity is.”
The announcement was made tonight at the awards dinner in Whangārei, attended by more than 700 guests from across the primary sector, government, and Māori communities.
The award was announced by Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka.
“All finalists set a remarkable benchmark,” Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee Chair Nukuhia Hadfield says.
"You could not have separated the standard of operations by passion or purpose but Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective rose to the top. What they collectively represent for Te Ao Māori and the sector is something every New Zealander should take pride in.”
The 2026 competition - now in its 93rd year - was contested by three outstanding finalists: Winner Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective (Te Puke), Otama Marere Trust (Paengaroa), and Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust (Kerikeri). Public field days were held earlier in the competition cycle, drawing hundreds of visitors across Northland and the Bay of Plenty.
The evening also saw Te Rina Joe (Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Kahungunu) from Pakuratahi Orchard for Ngāti Pāhauwera Commercial Development Ltd’s named the 2026 Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower. Further details available in a separate media release.
Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective and the 2026 Ahuwhenua Trophy