Ahuwhenua Trophy on the line again for Māori sheep and beef farmers

The search has begun to find the top Māori sheep and beef farm in the country with entries now open for the 2025 Ahuwhenua Trophy competition. 

It is open to individual Māori farmers along with trusts and other entities around Aotearoa. 

The competition alternates between dairy, sheep and beef, and horticulture, with the 2025 competition being for sheep and beef. It was inaugurated in 1933 by the then Governor-General Lord Bledisloe and one of te ao Māori’s greatest leaders Sir Apirana Ngata. 

“The objective then, and still is to foster the growth and development of Māori in livestock farming and horticulture,” said Ahuwhenua Trophy management committee chairwoman Nukuhia Hadfield. 

The announcement heralding the start of the competition was made at the annual conference of the New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management (NZIPIM) in Hamilton. 

“It was very appropriate that the 2025 competition was launched there,” Hadfield said. 

“Rural professionals have and continue to play a significant role in the development of Māori farming in Aotearoa, and it’s great to see NZIPIM taking the initiative to boost the capability of qualified Māori agri professionals.” 

She urged rural professionals to promote the competition and to encourage Māori sheep and beef farmers to enter. 

Hadfield and her husband Bart have been previous winners of the Ahuwhenua competition for sheep and beef. 

“Being entrants, let alone winners, was hugely beneficial to us,” she said. 

As part of the judging process, each farm gets carefully evaluated by an experienced team of rural professionals who offer insightful comments that will benefit the owners. 

“We certainly found this to be the case and others who have entered the competition have said the same thing,” Hadfield said. 

“The competition is an opportunity for Māori to showcase the excellence of their sheep and beef farming operations. 

“Māori farming makes a significant contribution to the country’s economy, with Māori contributing to more than 15% of the total earnings of the sheep and beef sector.” 

Initial judging of entrants will take place early in 2025, with the finalists announced at Parliament in late February. 

The finalists then stage field days at their respective farms during late March and early April. 

The winner of the competition will be announced at an awards dinner on Friday, June 6 in Palmerston North. 

More information can be found via the Ahuwhenua Trophy website.