Wi Pere Trust recognised for resilience

FINALISTS: Wi Pere Trust Horticulture are finalists in the Ahuwhenua Trophy Excellence in Māori Horticulture awards. The team is, from left, Hector Pere, Te Hira Pere, Alan Haronga, Kingi Smiler, Trudy Meredith, Wayne Hall (general manager), Chris Torrie and Eddie Collins (orchard manager). Picture supplied

Three top Māori horticulturalists in the North Island are finalists in this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy competition.

Ngai Tukairangi Trust’s largest orchard near Hastings, Māori Investments Limited’s Whiritoa orchard and Wi Pere Trust Horticulture in Gisborne are the final three in the competition encouraging farmers to improve their land, with an emphasis on sustainability.

It is the second time horticulture has been included in the competition, which runs on a three-year rotational basis between dairy, sheep and beef and horticulture sectors.

The finalists were announced at Parliament, at an event hosted by Minister for Māori Development Willie Jackson.

The Wi Pere Trust Horticulture consists of 79ha of permanent fruit crops, made up of 26ha of Gold kiwifruit, 4ha of persimmons, 15ha of citrus, 4ha of blueberries, and 20ha of Rockitt and 10ha of Tarzi apples.

Three separate orchards combine to make up the trust’s diverse horticultural operation — Toroa orchard at Waerenga-a-Hika, Tangihanga orchard at Waituhi and Manutuke orchard at Manutuke.

Wi Pere Trust Horticulture, managed by Wayne Hall, has eight full-time staff and employs up to 85 casual workers at key times.

Nukuhia Hadfield, chair of the Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee, said the competition committee was very mindful of the disastrous consequences of Cyclone Gabrielle, not to mention the numerous other adverse weather events that have affected the sector in the past six months,” she said.

“Before Cyclone Gabrielle struck, the judges were able to visit the properties of all the entrants and selected three excellent finalists.

“The current situation means likely changes to the judging process. However, they all agree that it is possible to hold the competition and determine a winner, so we have selected three incredible finalists.”

Before the cyclone, the finalists had to deal with the ongoing effects of Covid-19, shortages of labour and logistical issues, Ms Hadfield said.

“They have already proved their resilience and determination to work their way through adversity, although dealing with the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle is a much higher mountain to climb.

“The aim of the Ahuwhenua Trophy competition is to follow the vision of Sir Apirana Ngata and Lord Bledisloe by changing this narrative and showcasing our success to the wider public.”

The winner will be announced at the awards dinner on June 9 at the Trustpower Baypark Stadium in Tauranga.

Wi Pere Trust won the 2022 Ahuwhenua Trophy for Excellence in Māori Sheep and Beef Farming late last year.