The three finalists for the 2014 Ahuwhenua Trophy BNZ Maori Excellence in Farming Award for Dairy have been announced by the Minister of Maori Affairs, Pita Sharples.
Two of the three finalists are from the Bay of Plenty - Putauaki Trust Himiona Farm and Ngati Awa Farms Ltd's Ngakauroa Farm. The third finalist, Te Rua o Te Moko Ltd, is from Taranaki.
The annual Ahuwhenua Trophy competition alternates between sheep and beef and dairy farming, and the 2014 competition is for the top performing Maori dairy farm.
Following their selection as finalists, they will then be subject to another round of judging, which will include each of them staging a field day at their individual properties. which will be open to members of the public. These will be held in March so that people can see the farms in action before the cows are dried off in the late autumn.
Congratulating the three finalists, the chairman of the Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee, Kingi Smiler, said all had clearly demonstrated that they have reached a very high standard not only in their farming operations but also in their commitment as kaitiaki (guardians) of their lands.