Māori Farmers Can Enter the 2027 Ahuwhenua Trophy Awards

Entries are now being accepted for the 2027 Ahuwhenua Trophy Excellence in Māori Farming Awards. The awards will focus on the dairy sector in 2027, continuing a rotating schedule that also covers sheep and beef farming and horticulture.

Established in 1933, the awards recognise Māori agribusinesses and emerging farming leaders. Eligible applicants include Māori land trusts, incorporations and individual farmers who hold important decision-making positions in their businesses.

Brooke Sinclair, Kaiārahi Ahuwhenua at DairyNZ, described the competition as distinct because it examines more than the performance of a farm. She said the awards recognise the different ways entrants run their businesses according to their own tikanga and values.

“The competition is about encouraging skills, leadership and development, and growing industry connections at all levels,” Ms Sinclair said. She added that performance, productivity and profitability are considered by judges, but that judging also covers the wider operation of the farm business.

The organising team can help prospective entrants assess whether they are ready to apply. Ms Sinclair said that a useful preparation step was to assemble reliable business information from the previous three seasons. She identified DairyBase as a tool that can support benchmarking and provide information on performance.

DairyNZ sponsors the Young Māori Farmer category, provides expertise for the judging process and supports field days. The awards offer total prizes of close to $100,000 for the winner of the Ahuwhenua Trophy.

Finalists in the Young Māori Farmer Award receive access to education and mentoring opportunities. Prizes in that category are worth up to $5,000.