Farmer of the Year regional winner announced

24th March 2005

Second Maori Farmer of the Year regional winner announced.

The second of three regional winners in the Maori Farmer of the Year competition has been announced.

The Wairarapa Moana Incorporation’s Te Pouakani Sheep and Beef Unit from Mangakino, is the Central North Island regional winner for 2005.

Maori Farmer of the Year competition chairman Bob Cottrell says the winning property stood out.

“The judges were impressed with Te Pouakani. The business has successfully handled an intensification programme and the property has been extensively developed.”

“The 1950 hectare property is well managed with a strong team approach. They have a clear strategic plan and a clearly identified enterprise analysis," he said.

Wairarapa Moana Incorporation’s chairman, Kingi Smiler says he is delighted with the result and is looking forward to competing in the national final.

“We have a clear vision for our business and we’ve achieved this with the help of the people we employ, the support and advice we receive from farming professionals and the wider farming community.”

A field day will be held on the Te Pouakani property in May which will give other farmers from around the area an opportunity to see the systems management and governance of the farm, and what areas contributed to the farm winning the regional title.

The national winner will be announced at the competition’s awards dinner in Rotorua on June 10th.

Tickets for the awards dinner can be purchased from Meat & Wool New Zealand.

Meat & Wool New Zealand is a major sponsor of the event along with the Bank of New Zealand, AgResearch and Te Puni Kokiri (Gold sponsors)

Williams & Kettle, Merial, Ballance Agri-Nutrients and Blue Wing Honda (Silver sponsor) The AFFCO group, AgriQuality, Landcorp and PPCS-Richmond (Bronze sponsors)

ENDS

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