Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Finalists Announced
Te Tumu Paeroa is a proud sponsor of Ahuwhenua Trophy’s Young Māori Farmer Award. It gives us a chance to celebrate the kaiahuwhenua early in their careers, who are already achieving great stuff. This year’s finalists are no exception.
The finalists in the 2025 Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award for sheep and beef have been announced. They are:
Coby Warmington, Te Mahurehure,Ngāpuhi, 29, Farm Manager, Waima Topu Beef Ltd, Te Tai Tokerau.
Grace Watson, Whakatohea, 24, Sheperd General, Verry Farming Limited, Te Kuiti.
Puhirere Tau, Ngāpuhi, Ngati Porou, 27, Head Shepherd, Puatai Station, Tolaga Bay. Puhirere is a previous finalist in the AYMF award.
The Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award was inaugurated in 2012 and is designed to recognise up and coming young Māori in the pastoral and horticulture sectors. Since its inception the competition has proved to be very popular and has attracted high quality entrants. The finalists this year were selected from a number of entrants from around the motu.
Lead Judge, Sam Vivian-Greer of Te Tumu Paeroa says it is great to see another excellent cohort of aspiring Māori farming leaders emerge. He says since it was inaugurated more than a dozen years ago there has been a constant stream of young Māori talent entering this competition.
“Māori agribusiness is growing exponentially and it needs people with the skills, experience and leadership qualities to take it forward. This competition has done just that and we are seeing young Māori who have been winners and finalists take on leadership roles in the primary sector,” he says.
Sam Vivian-Greer says not only have these rangatahi done well in their own right, but they have also proven to be excellent role models for others to follow in their footsteps. He says they have built up new networks and have helped mentor other young Māori. He says the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Award has been a significant factor in future proofing the Māori agri-sector.
The AYMF finalists will be attending the field days of the finalists in the senior Ahuwhenua Trophy competition in April. The winner will be announced on Friday 6 June 2025 at Fly Palmy Arena, in Papaioea, Palmerston North.
Media please note:
For further information contact Peter Burke on 021 224 2184 or [email protected]
Photos courtesy of Alphapix.
More details about the competition and finalists: 2025 Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Finalists Announced | Ahuwhenua Trophy
Sponsors of the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award:
Kaitautoko Tuatahi: Te Tumu Paeroa
Kaitautoko Taketake: Primary ITO, Beef + Lamb New Zealand and Te Puni Kōkiri