Ngapuhi hapu-owned farm trophy finalist

Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell

A Ngapuhi hapu-owned farm near Kaikohe is one of three finalists for the 2017 Ahuwhenua Trophy, celebrating excellence in Maori farming.

The finalists, named in Parliament last week by Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy, include Omapere Taraire E and Rangihamama X3A Ahu Whenua Trust, known as Omapere Rangihamama Trust (ORT), 2km north-west of Kaikohe and regarded by its 3000 shareholders, all Ngapuhi hapu members, as a taonga tuku iho, gifted to them over time by their ancestors.

(The other finalists are Puketawa Station (Eketahuna) and the Pukepoto Farm Trust (Ongarue).

Of the ORT's 1997ha total land area, 1,253ha (902ha effective) is devoted to sheep and beef, although there has been a move away from sheep in recent years, largely driven by better returns for bull beef and poorer returns for wool, sheep and lamb.

"To have Minister Flavell say the three finalists are inspiring models of Maori farming innovation is indeed humbling," ORT chairman Raniera Tau said.

"While successful and profitable farming are a key focus, care of the environment is a major priority of our strategy."

A unique feature of ORT was that the farm included one of the few Maori-owned lakes in Aotearoa, Lake Omapere, regarded as a sacred site and a taonga in its own right.

The property also included Maunga Putahi, one of the pou of the sacred house of Ngapuhi, site of the oldest Ngapuhi burial caves, where only Ngapuhi chiefs were interred.
"Their protection is absolutely paramount, being fenced off and in some cases vested in Whenua Rahui," Mr Tau said.

Te Runanga-a-Iwi o Ngapuhi chief executive Tony Dowling said having a hapu farm chosen as a finalist for the Ahuwhenua Trophy was very exciting, and the runanga hoped, a source of pride for Ngapuhi everywhere.

The winner will be announced on May 26.