| 3 RURAL PEOPLE » Ahuwhenua Trophy Award • to page 4 Trophy celebrates Maori farming excellence 2022 Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer Finalists. From left: Puhirere Tau, Chloe Butcher-Herries, Rameka Edwards (Photos John Cowpland). Kelly Deeks A celebration of Maori excellence in farming for the past 89 years, the Ahuwhenua Trophy remains a beacon of light and hope in these uncertain times, as farmers and others in the primary sector live up to the reputation of being a nation where people overcome adversity, and triumph in style. “This is a time to celebrate our success and show how Maori successfully incorporate modern farming practices into their operations and at the same time have overlaid this with their own unique values of kaitiakitanga of their whenua,” says Ahuwhenua Trophy management committee chair Nukuhia Had eld. “I am proud of our achievements this year. We have worked through challenges, but have proven we are agile and innovative and have been able to deliver the competition again this year.” The Ahuwhenua Trophy competition was inaugurated by visionary Maori leader Sir Apirana Ngata and the Governor General of the time Lord Bledisloe in 1933. Sir Apirana Ngata realised the retention and improvement of what remained of Maori land was critical, and with his own interest in farming, Lord Bledisloe donated the Ahuwhenua trophy, two years after he had donated Rugby Union’s Bledisloe Cup. With a focus on improving skill and pro ciency in Maori farming, the original Ahuwhenua Trophy competition was competed for by dairy and sheep and beef farmers, and the inaugural competition was won by dairy farmer William Swinton from Raukokore, Bay of Plenty. By 1954, the dif culty of comparing dairy with sheep and beef saw the competition divided into Ballance with Nature Ballance with Nature is all about working closely with nature, so we can farm and grow sustainably and productively to keep our country thriving for generations to come. Making it easy for you to care for and protect your natural resources. If the natural world is healthy, so too are the people. Taiao ora, Tangata ora. ballance.co.nz | 0800 222 090 Together, Creating the Best Soil and Food on Earth BAL13873_Ballance with Nature_Business Rural_257x180mm_FA.indd 1 5/10/22 5:42 PM
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