| 49 BALLANCE AWARDS » Oromahoe Trust 01 BFEA Compact Brand Guidelines V1.0 FEB 2022 Oromahoe Trust has embraced change Success at the Balance Environmental Awards has prompted the Trustees to consider entering the prestigious Ahu Whenua Awards 2025 for Maori Beef and Sheep farmer. Richard Loader Located in Oromahoe, Bay of Islands, is a beef and sheep farm owned by multiple Maori owners, encompassing 1050 hectares,and for the last two years has been managed by Dean Candy. In March this year the Trust and Dean were awarded the Supreme Award along with a brace of category awards at the Northland Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Category awards included Bayley’s People in Primary Sector Award, Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award, and Rabobank Agri- Business Management Award. “We were really happy with the final results,” says Dean. “You want to do well in all categories and the respective awards won reflected the Trust’s dedication over the last decade in reviewing its entire business structure and refocusing on its core values. Winning the Northland Supreme Regional Award 2024 was validation of improvements made to our business and the continuing journey to achieve excellence in all facets of farming and as kaitiaki of the owners ancestral lands.” The Trust has implemented significant changes including reviewing its human resources capacity and capability, with an additional appointment of an administrator, staff succession planning and upskilling, increasing productivity and animal health, to manage its land, water and energy more efficiently. “Our waterways flow into the Wai-a-Ruhe and Waitangi rivers and it is therefore important to model best practice in sustainable environmental practices at the river source. Accordingly, we have stock fenced and planted the lowland waterways, retired erosion prone hill side areas, implemented fertilizer buffer zones on TRAMAC. Stocking classes and alignment to best use of land is also carefully planned.” Dean says the People in Primary Sector Award acknowledged how the Trust distributes its profits to not only reinvest back into the business, but to its many shareholders for scholarships, elderly care, local Marae and community. Employed initially as a shepherd and part of the farm’s recruitment journey for the last four years, Dean is just days away from celebrating his second term as the farm’s manager. “I’m passionate about our staff and working my way up through the ranks over the years has given me the benefit of oversight on how and how not to treat people, with our current staff loyalty an endorsement to that value”. Dean believes the Northland Supreme Award, reflected the relationship between the Trustees and farm team in working together and respecting the cultural spirit and whanaungatanga of the beneficial owners. “It was a proud moment for us all, because we all work hard and do our work as best possible. Everyone was real stoked with the outcome. Success at the awards is an affirmation that we’re doing the right things. The proudest things for me is looking after the whenua and leaving it in a better place for future generations. Farming is in the blood and it’s something I’ve always done. The Trust has been very supportive and treat me like one of their whanau.” Success at the Balance Environmental Awards has prompted the Trustees to consider entering the prestigious Ahu Whenua Awards 2025 for Maori Beef and Sheep farmers. “Watch this space,” says Dean, in positively looking to the future and taking up the challenge. Proudly supporting Oromahoe Trust Kaikohe 401 1536 Kerikeri 407 7354 Waipapa 401 6654 Kawakawa 404 0842
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