Wairoa shepherd Jordan Biddle is the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer for 2017. PHOTO/ JOHN COWPLAND
Wairoa shepherd Jordan Biddle is the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer for 2017. PHOTO/ JOHN COWPLAND
Shepherd Jordan Biddle beat off two other people to become this year's Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer.
He received the award on Friday in Whangarei, at the Ahuwhenua BNZ Maori Excellence in Farming Awards. The winning farm was the Omapere Rangihamama Trust, a sheep and beef operation near Kaikohe.
The AhuwhenuaAwards happen every year, alternating between dairy and sheep and beef.
Mr Biddle is a shepherd on the 2000ha Pihanui Station. It's south of Wairoa and was bought by his iwi, Ngāti Pāhauwera, in 2014.
At that time the Wairoa Star reported that it would be added to other traditional land to form a viable agri-business.
Despite his youth Mr Biddle has spent eight months as the station's manager - until a new manager was chosen.
He is working on a National Certificate in Agriculture (Animal Feeding and Pastures) Level 3, and already has a National Certificate in Stockmanship at the same level.
He said he enjoyed the farm visits that were part of his entry and they inspired him to push his career even further.
He and the other two finalists, Dylan Ruki-Fowlie and Hemoata Kopa, each received a $1500 scholarship, which they can use for further training. The three have also been supported through a goal setting workshop.
