Far North horticulturalist finalist in Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower awards

Northlander Robert Manuel is one of three finalists in the nationwide Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower awards.

When it comes to horticulture in the Far North, Robert Manuel certainly knows his onions – or rather his kiwifruit.

And it’s that knowledge and skill that has seen the father of two named as one of three finalists in the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower awards.

Manuel, 29 (Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Rehia, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Rākaipāka) works at Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust, in Kerikeri, specialising in kiwifruit growing.

He is joined as a finalist by two other young Māori horticulturalists Larissa Wooding-Ngata (Ngāti Porou) from Craigmore Sustainables, Gisborne, and Te Rina Joe, (Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Kahungunu) from Pakuratahi Orchard for Ngāti Pāhauwera Commercial Development in the Hawke’s Bay.

Manuel has served as a supervisor for the Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust for the last three years and has been in the horticulture and kiwifruit industry for 10 years.

“I was born in Australia and came back to Aotearoa when I was 12. I then attended secondary school at Kamo High School, however left school when I was 16 and went back to Australia. I returned home again three years later, and it was through family contacts that I managed to get a job in the horticulture sector, eventually taking up a position at Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust three years ago,” he said.

The Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust owns 32ha of G3 gold kiwifruit in Kerikeri, broken up into six orchards, and Manuel leads a team of 12 fulltime workers.

“We work closely with a team of Seeka who help us with the work. This year is a highlight for me because we are extending our team to 21 and we have our own tractors for the harvest,” Manuel said.

He recently completed his Level 3 Horticulture qualification and is working toward Level 4.

“I love the outdoors and my job and wouldn’t change it for anything. In my spare time, I like to fish and spend time with my family and friends. My ultimate goal is to become the orchard manager and to watch my team grow and succeed,” Manuel said.

Lead judge Sam Vivian-Greer of Te Tumu Paeroa said the finalists represent the next generation of leaders in New Zealand’s fastest-growing primary sector.

“The competition has again attracted a group of fine up-and-coming young Māori leaders in the horticulture sector, which is important because horticulture is now the fastest growing of all the primary sectors,” he said.

“There is an ongoing need to have highly qualified young growers coming through the ranks to take up management and leadership roles. This competition is about encouraging and helping rangatahi on their journey to achieve that.”

Māori growers are significant players in the sector – especially in kiwifruit – with exports in the current year topping $4.5 billion and expected to grow even further in the coming years.

The three finalists will attend field days hosted by the senior Ahuwhenua Trophy finalists at Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective in Te Puke, Otama Marere Trust in Paengaroa, and Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust in Kerikeri, where they will observe, learn and connect with other Māori farmers and horticulturalists.

In the lead-up to the awards ceremony, they will participate in a three-day study tour, designed to provide a range of insights, inspiration and experiences across the horticulture sector.

Winners of both the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower Award and the Ahuwhenua Trophy – Excellence in Māori Horticulture Award will be announced at the awards dinner on June 5 in Whangārei.