Ash-Leigh Campbell.
The three finalists in the 2016 Ahuwhenua Young Maori Dairy Farmer Competition have been announced ahead of the finals at Claudelands, Hamilton on Friday, 20th of May.
Ash-Leigh Campbell from Lincoln, Harepaora Ngaheu from Te Teko and Jack Raharuhi from the West Coast will be competing for the title in the prestigious Young Farmer competition, now its fifth year.
"We've seen an exceedingly high standard of entrant in the 2016 Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer dairying competition. It's been a difficult job selecting our three finalists and an even more challenging experience selecting a winner from these outstanding individuals," says Peter Little, lead judge of Te Punu Kokiri, which sponsors the competition.
"Despite the downturn dairy farmers are experiencing at this present time, there are some very committed young Māori in the dairy industry. I've got no doubt that with future leaders like Ash-Leigh, Jack and Harepaora coming through the ranks, our dairying enterprises will not only come out the other side of this, but prosper into the future," Peter says.
As for the three finalists, they're excited for the challenges ahead.
As the only female finalist, confidence and self-belief have always helped Ash-Leigh achieve her goals in the dairy industry - and she hopes her success will inspire more young Māori women to follow her lead.
"You have to back yourself. If you know you can do it, everyone around you will eventually buy into that too," she says.
Currently studying full-time towards her Diploma in Agriculture at Lincoln University, she's fully focused on winning this year's Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award.
"I just thought 'I'm going to do it and I'm going to be a top 3 finalist'. I definitely put a lot of effort into preparing my application and for the interview and I was absolutely stoked to be named a finalist."
Harepaora is about to take on a new journey and challenge this coming season, having just been appointed sole manager to milk 150 cows on a 46ha farm in Ruatoki, south of Whakatane. But for now, he's thinking about the finals on Friday.
"I feel my success is due to having great support at home, supportive employers and tutors. Now I have to put into action everything that I've learnt over the past few years!" he says.
Jack manages a 450ha Landcorp property on the West Coast and employs five fulltime staff to help him look after 1100 cows. Staff development is a big focus, and Jack oversees his employees' own Primary ITO studies and provides individual training.
"If it's raining I encourage them all to bring their books and study in the shed. I guide them when they get stuck and help them to identify and overcome any weaknesses.
They're all keen young fellas and people are lining up to work here because they know I'll train them up really well."
Jack is a big believer in second chances and says winning a prestigious award such as the Ahuwhenua would be a huge honour.
"I was really stoked to be named a finalist. It just feels great to be acknowledged for the things that I'm doing for other people."