Finalists Announced for the 2026 Ahuwhenua Trophy

PGG Wrightson is proud to celebrate the announcement of the three finalists for the 2026 Ahuwhenua Trophy, New Zealand's most prestigious award for Māori agriculture and horticulture.

On 18 February, the Hon Tama Potaka (Māori Development Minister) and the Hon Todd McClay (Minister of Agriculture) announced this year's finalists at a special event at Parliament in Wellington. Two of our Iwi Relationship Managers, Ron Walters and Carlos Cressy, were honoured to attend on behalf of PGG Wrightson.

Established in 1933 by Sir Apirana Ngata and Governor-General Lord Bledisloe, the Ahuwhenua Trophy is awarded on a three-year rotational basis across sheep and beef, dairy, and horticulture. In 2026, the competition celebrates excellence in Māori horticulture, a sector that has grown by 50 per cent since 2017 and whose export returns are forecast to exceed $9 billion by mid-year.

The 2026 Finalists

This year's three finalists are:

Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective – Te Puke, Bay of Plenty

Otama Marere Trust – Paengaroa, Bay of Plenty

Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust – Kerikeri, Northland

Attend a Field Day

Each finalist will host a public field day at their property, offering an excellent opportunity to see their operations first-hand. All are welcome.

Field days run from 9.00am to 3.30pm. Further details, including start point addresses, will be available on the Ahuwhenua Trophy website and their Facebook page.

The overall winner will be announced at the Ahuwhenua Trophy awards dinner in Whangārei on Friday 5 June 2026.