Entries to next year's Young Maori Farmer of the Year Awards are now open.
Now in its third year the competition was established in 2012 and has become an exciting addition to the Ahuwhenua Trophy BNZ Maori Excellence in Farming Award. It alternates each year between dairy and sheep andbeef farming, giving deserving young Maori the opportunity to be recognised for their achievements. This year the award is targeted at dairy farmers. The aim is to empower young farmers and encourage their personal development and growth. For the inaugural Young Maori Dairy Farmer of the Year winner, Tangaroa Walker, the outcome has been significant.
"I have always been passionate about dairy farming but since winning the Ahuwhenua award I've been shown a lot of other areas that I am interested in as well. I've learned a lot about business. It puts you in a different bracket. All of a sudden I wasn't just talking to farmers but to bank managers and CEOs. When I attended the FoMA conference people were coming up and talking to me about how they can help me get ahead," Mr Walker said.
"Only about a month after the award I was offered a huge opportunity working for a farm owner of 950 cows with a 300 hectare run off, which I accepted. I also had a few other job offers as well." Since his award in 2012, Mr Walker has also enjoyed speaking at industry events, especially those that aim to encourage and help young people get ahead.
"I enjoy helping young people. . I am also now on the board of the South Island Dairy Event so they can ask me questions about how to attract young Kiwis to the industry," he said.
Mr Walker has also been invited to apply for a Nuffield Scholarship, which, he says, is going to be life changing.
The Ahuwhenua Young Maori Dairy Farmer of the Year competition is open to Maori aged 16-25 years who are employed on a dairy farm and currently enrolled in or have completed a National Certificate in Agriculture Level 3 or higher.
Applications are open until February 14, and the winner will be announced at the awards' dinner in Tauranga in June. For information visit www.ahuwhenuatrophy.Maori.nz
