Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective as the winner of the prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy, Excellence in Māori horticulture Award.

Based in Te Puke, Mātai Pacific Iwi collective is a collaboration between Te Arawa Group Holdings, Ngāti Awa Group Holdings Limited and Rotomā No. 1 Incorporation and is Zespri’s largest Māori shareholder.

The Ahuwhenua Trophy acknowledges and celebrates business excellence in New Zealand's important pastoral and horticultural sectors. The competition is held annually, alternating each year between the horticultural and pastoral sectors.

Te Rina Joe (Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Kahungunu), was the winner of this year’s Young Māori Grower Award. She began her journey picking fruit with her whānau at 15-years old and now works for Ngāti Pāhauwera Commercial Development overseeing teams of 40-60 workers across a 55-hectare apple orchard.

Te Puni Kōkiri is proud to be a platinum sponsor of the awards, alongside the Ministry of Primary Industries – united in celebrating Māori excellence.

Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust and Otama Marere Trust were the other finalists for this year’s Trophy with the judges commending their commitment, passion, achievements and the high benchmark they set.

The other finalists for the Young Māori Grower Award were Larissa Wooding-Ngata (Ngāti Porou) | Foreperson, Craigmore Sustainables and Robert John Manuel (Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Rehia, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Raakaipaaka) | Team Supervisor, Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust

Next year’s focus will be dairy farming with further details to be announced.