Enviro awards for Waimatā couple

Jeremy and Laura Watson enjoyed success last night at the gala presentation of the 2024 East Coast Ballance Farm Environment Awards presentation where they won two of the 10 categories. Awards night pictures and comments from the winners to follow later. File picture

The 2024 East Coast Ballance Farm Environment Awards were presented at The Vines at Bushmere Estate, Matawhero, last night and Jeremy and Laura Watson from Monowai Station, Waimatā, featured in two categories.

A crowd of around 150 people gathered for the gala finale to the regional awards.

The couple’s 735 hectare sheep and beef, breeding and finishing operation continues a family legacy going back to the 1920s.

The Watsons won the Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award, and the NZFET Biodiversity Award.

The judges said their operation “strikes a balance between business performance and conservation”.

“Just as the environment was enhanced by family members before them, Jeremy and Laura are committed to building on that work to continue improving the property for future generations to enjoy and profit from.”

The two other finalists from Gisborne were Alex and Megen Campbell from Awapapa Station, Hangaroa, and Roger and Caly White from Cheviot Hills, Waerenga-o-Kuri.

The Supreme award last night went to Simon and Josi Beamish and Hugo and Pip Beamish from Awapai Station in Hawke’s Bay.

“Innovation and forward thinking mean the multi-generational farming family take out the Regional Supreme Award,” the judges said.

Awapai, located in the WhanaWhana Valley, west of Hastings, is a 2100ha (1625ha effective) property.

The judges were impressed with the use of innovation, technology and modern ideas, all implemented within the framework of a well-established and enduring family business.

As well as the Supreme Award, the Beamish family won the Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award, the Beef+Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award, the Hill Laboratories Agri-Science Award and NZFET Innovation Award.

The other category winners came from Hawke’s Bay too.