Paul and Marie Renton walked away with this year's ultimate Hawke's Bay farming trophy at the Napier Port Hawke's Bay Primary Sector Awards tonight. Hosted by the Hawke's Bay A and P Society more than 400 people packed in to the showgrounds to celebrate the biggest night on the calendar year for the region's primary industries.
People raised a glass as individuals and groups were congratulated for their excellence in the primary sector.
Napier Port Hawke's Bay Primary Sector Awards committee chairman Peter Tod said it was pleasing to see such a high calibre and depth of entries across all competitions.
"It shows the strength of the primary sector in Hawke's Bay, and future leadership and innovation will continue to drive our economy," Mr Tod said.
Glenmore farmers Mr and Mrs Renton won the Silver Fern Farms Hawke's Bay Farmer of the Year after demonstrating real strengths in their business as it evolved during the past 10 years.
Mr Tod said it would be an impressive field-day on May 4 when they would get to see and understand more about how the Renton's were achieving award-winning results.
Greg and Rachel Hart from Mangarara Station took out the Pan Pac Hawke's Bay Farm Forester of the Year Award for their vision which included extensive plantings of natives and varying other species.
Going against tradition, the Laurie Dowling Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture was awarded to a group not an individual.
The Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust volunteers, crew and staff who ensured its continued existence and success were presented with the award.
The rescue chopper has flown more than 300 missions helping those, many of them farmers and people living or working in rural communities, with urgent medical care and transportation.
The awards also paid tribute to those individuals who had achieved excellence in the sector with John Paynter winning the Hastings District Council Primary Sector Leader for 2017.
Along with the Paynter's export business Johnny Appleseed Group, his company's Yummy brand leads the New Zealand domestic market.
Fourth year Massey University student Amy Hoogenboom, who is studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and hopes to be a production animal veterinarian was awarded the Lawson Robinson Hawke's Bay A&P Scholarship.
The awards also congratulated a dedicated profession and Ian Walker walked away with the Bayleys Hawke's Bay Primary Sector Professional of the Year.
He has been a consultant, farmer and practising vet for more than 32 years and was said to be well regarded among his peers and fellow industry experts both locally and nationally.
Hawke's Bay A and P Society president Richard Chambers said the awards celebrated their past, present and future leaders reaching a new level of primary sector excellence.
"Hawke's Bay's primary sector is a phenomenal success story, it has grown through diversity and innovation and is the backbone of our economy supporting industry, business and growing jobs."