The Omapere Rangihamama Trust near Kaikohe covers 1997ha with 1,253ha devoted to sheep and beef, while Puketawa Station at Tiraumea in the Northern Wairarapa is farmed by Ronald and Justine King and covers 1108ha of medium to steep hill country.
The third finalist is Pukepoto Farm Trust, a 1400ha (1000ha effective) hill country farm north of Taumarunui.
The Chairman of the Ahuwhenua Trophy Management committee, Kingi Smiler, says all three farms are performing well in some of the most challenging times the primary sector has encountered, with volatile global markets and low prices together with a need to adapt to a changing climate.
"The people who run these operations are positive and confident about their future and are taking an approach that Sir Apirana Ngata, who inaugurated the competition, would have wished."
Field Days
Field days will be held on each of the finalist farms leading up to the presentation of the Ahuwhenua Trophy at a function in Whangarei on Friday 26 May.
The Omapere Rangihamama Trust field day is on Thursday 20 April, Puketawa Station is holding their field day on Thursday April 27 and the Pukepoto Farm Trust field day is Thursday, 4 May.
About the Ahuwhenua Trophy
The Ahuwhenua Trophy is the most prestigious award for Maori Agriculture. Founded by Sir Apirana Ngata and Lord Bledisloe in 1933, the annual competition was relaunched 14 years ago, with the sheep and beef and dairy competitions held on alternate years.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand are proud to sponsor the Ahuwhenua Trophy BNZ Maori Excellence in Farming Award for sheep and beef.
