Maori Farmer of the Year Regional Winner

18th March 2005

Maori Farmer of the Year Regional Winner announced

The first of three regional winners in the Maori Farmer of the Year competition has been found.

Waihi Pukawa Trust, farming near Turangi is the Southern regional winner for 2005.

Maori Farmer of the Year competition Chairman Bob Cottrell says the winning property, Waihi Pukawa impressed the judges.

"Waihi Pukawa stood out in the southern competition simply because there was a strong sense of leadership and governance right throughout the business. Waihi Pukawa also has a clear sense of purpose and responsibility in managing their whole business enterprise."

"They’ve achieved many things, including having a high gross income per hectare and successfully managing a diversification into deer. These achievements made the farm a stand-out competitor.”

Waihi Pukawa chairman Richard Fox says the trust is delighted with the result. “We are honoured to have won the southern title and look forward too competing in the national final. “

“We are fortunate to have excellent staff who work with members of the trust to make the farm a real success.” he said A field day will be held on the Waihi Pukawa property on 5th May and will give others from around the area a chance to see the systems management and governance of the farm.

Meat & Wool New Zealand is a major sponsor of the event along with the Bank of New Zealand, AgResearch and Te Puni Kokiri (Gold sponsors) Williams & Kettle, Merial, Ballance Agri-Nutrients and Blue Wing Honda (Silver sponsors)

The AFFCO group, AgriQuality, Landcorp and PPCS-Richmond (Bronze sponsors)

ENDS

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