MEDIA RELEASE - 25 FEBRUARY 2010 Judging role for ITO manager Pete MacGregor, Strategic Relationships Manager with Agriculture ITO, has been chosen as a judge to select finalists for this year's Ahuwhenua Trophy competition for Maori farming enterprises. Peter, who said he was very surprised and honoured by the invitation to judge, has had a long association with the Ahuwhenua Trophy. Growing up on farms in the Horowhenua and King Country he was well aware of its whakapapa and mana - its history and prestige - and what the competition meant to participants. He had the opportunity to support it during his years in education and trade training with the former Maori and Pacific Island Affairs Department, and has carried on that support through Agriculture ITO. Since the ITO became a bronze competition sponsor in 2005, Peter has been very visible at field days, judgings and ceremonies, energetically promoting the benefits of the competition to farm workers and employers. "These days the competition has a much higher profile within the farming community" Peter says. "It's something people look forward to." Pete says the Ahuwhenua competition gives young people something to aspire to and encourages farming tutors and mentors to bring young people to the field days, so they can experience firsthand how a well-run farm operates. "I want young Maori interested in dairy farming as a career to understand all the choices they have, from farm labourer and sharemilker to becoming a dairy manager or farm owner. "To do that they need to take part in as much relevant training as possible. The focus groups and field days that are part of the competition can make an important contribution to growing their own networks amongst the wider dairy farming community." The Ahuwhenua Trophy is an annual competition that recognises achievement by Maori farming enterprises, alternating between the dairy and sheep/beef sectors. This year the award is for dairy farms. The previous dairy winners of the Ahuwhenua Trophy were Dean and Kristin Nikora, of Te Puke. Initial judging for the competition will take place in early March. Field days will be held on the properties of the three finalists on April 22, April 29 and May 6 and the winner of the Ahuwhenua Trophy BNZ Maori Excellence in Farming Dairy Competition will be announced at a Gala Awards dinner will be held in Taupo on Friday May 28, 2010. Tickets for this event are available from Joan Nathu 04 819 9205 email: Joan.Nathu@MaoriTrustee.co.nz The Bank of the New Zealand is the Platinum Sponsor for the Award. Gold sponsors are AgResearch, Fonterra, Te Puni Kokiri, and DairyNZ. Silver sponsors are PGG Wrightson, and Ballance Agri-Nutrients, and Bronze sponsors are MAF, Agriculture ITO, Maori Trustee, Yamaha, AFFCO and BDO. Supporting sponsors include Tohu Wines, Landcorp, Poutama, DB Breweries and Ecolab. Back to Press Releases