The field days and awards dinner planned for New Zealand's competition for Māori farmers and horticulturalists has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Each of the finalist's field days would normally attract between 200 and 300 people and the awards dinner would host between 700 and 900 guests.
"The
health and safety of finalists, sponsors, whanau and others is paramount. Following the advice of our health authorities about large gatherings must take precedence," said Chairman of the Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee, Kingi Smiler.
The competition is now in its 87th year with horticulture being showcased for the first time in 2020.
"We are pleased that we can complete the judging, because of the very small number of people involved and announce a winner for this inaugural horticulture competition," said Smiler.
