Maori excellence in farming award
AgResearch major sponsor of Maori farming award
AgResearch has been a gold sponsor of the New Zealand Maori Excellence in
Farming Award since 2003, except for 2006 when we were a platinum sponsor.
AgResearch's involvement in the awards reflects our commitment to helping
Maori farmers double their value of productivity by 2020. In 2007, the winner
was Pah Hill Station, Atihau-Whanganui Incorporation sheep and beef farm.
As well as the mana (prestige) associated with winning the competition's
Ahuwhenua Trophy, the winner receives about $40,000 in cash and farm-related
prizes.
The award aims to highlight and build on the significant contribution Maori
agribusiness makes to the national economy. It alternates between dairy, and
sheep and beef farming, with the latter being this year's focus.
The competition selects a winner based on such criteria as good governance
and innovation, good financial performance, environmental management, and the
contribution the winner makes to its community.
AgResearch Board Chairman Rick Christie says Maori are long-term players in
the farming sector.
"With intergenerational handling of land and with their affinity with the
land, we see a long and prosperous future for Maori farmers in Aotearoa-New
Zealand.
"Everything AgResearch is doing has relevance to all farms in New Zealand
and is not exclusively for the Maori pastoral sector, but AgResearch is giving
particular focus to the Maori sector because of the obvious significant gains
to be made in terms of productivity which relate to the well-being of the
Tangata Whenua and our country as a whole."
To register for the competition:
Email:
peter.charleton@staplestaranaki.co.nz